Authorizes a licensed pharmacist to administer any recommendations made by the commissioner of health pertaining to a vaccine that has been authorized by the federal Food and Drug Administration; relates to insurance coverage for immunizations; removes the requirement to follow the advisory committee on immunization practices of the centers for disease control and prevention recommendation for immunization against meningococcal disease.
Summary
S07823 amends New York’s Education Law and Public Health Law to expand pharmacist authority to administer immunizations. Under the bill, pharmacists could give vaccines not only according to the most current recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), but also according to supplemental recommendations issued by the state Commissioner of Health for vaccines that have been authorized by the FDA. The bill also requires pharmacies to post any supplemental adult immunization schedules published by the Commissioner of Health alongside the ACIP schedule.
The bill further changes the state’s school immunization rules for meningococcal disease. It removes the statutory requirement that the meningococcal vaccine schedule for students entering seventh and twelfth grade follow ACIP recommendations specifically, and instead allows the vaccine requirement to be satisfied by doses meeting standards approved by the U.S. Public Health Service and the state Department of Health under conditions set by the Public Health and Planning Council. The act would take effect immediately.
Impact
The bill would modify sections of the Education Law governing pharmacist immunization authority and pharmacy posting requirements, and section 2164 of the Public Health Law governing school immunization requirements for meningococcal disease. Its practical effect is to give the New York Department of Health greater flexibility to set vaccine guidance and to allow pharmacists to administer FDA-authorized vaccines based on state health commissioner recommendations, while also altering the legal reference point for meningococcal immunization requirements for school-aged children.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears generally supportive of expanding state-level public health flexibility and pharmacist vaccination access. There is no recorded committee transcript or vote history in the provided materials showing formal opposition or support, but the bill’s structure suggests an intent to align immunization policy more closely with state health guidance rather than relying exclusively on federal advisory recommendations.
Contention
The main point of contention is the shift away from ACIP recommendations as the controlling standard, especially for meningococcal vaccination requirements and pharmacist administration authority. Supporters are likely to favor the added flexibility for the Commissioner of Health and easier vaccine access through pharmacies, while critics may be concerned about reducing reliance on a nationally recognized federal advisory body and creating variation in immunization policy across states or over time. No specific named opponents or supporters are identified in the provided record.
Same As
Authorizes a licensed pharmacist to administer any recommendations made by the commissioner of health pertaining to a vaccine that has been authorized by the federal Food and Drug Administration; relates to insurance coverage for immunizations; removes the requirement to follow the advisory committee on immunization practices of the centers for disease control and prevention recommendation for immunization against meningococcal disease.
Authorizes a licensed pharmacist to administer any recommendations made by the commissioner of health pertaining to a vaccine that has been authorized by the federal Food and Drug Administration; relates to insurance coverage for immunizations; removes the requirement to follow the advisory committee on immunization practices of the centers for disease control and prevention recommendation for immunization against meningococcal disease.
Authorizes a licensed pharmacist to administer any recommendations made by the commissioner of health pertaining to a vaccine that has been authorized by the federal Food and Drug Administration; relates to insurance coverage for immunizations; removes the requirement to follow the advisory committee on immunization practices of the centers for disease control and prevention recommendation for immunization against meningococcal disease.
Provides that licensed pharmacists may administer certain vaccines where a non-patient specific order exists or immunizations are authorized by the commissioner of health and are recommended for use by the New York state immunization advisory council or are identified by the department of health as necessary to address public health emergencies, outbreaks, or chronic disease prevention.
Public Health - Recommendations for Immunizations, Screenings, and Preventive Services - Pharmacist Administration and Required Health Insurance Coverage (The Vax Act)
Public Health - Recommendations for Immunizations, Screenings, and Preventive Services - Pharmacist Administration and Required Health Insurance Coverage (The Vax Act)
Public Health - Recommendations for Immunizations, Screenings, and Preventive Services - Pharmacist Administration and Required Health Insurance Coverage (The Vax Act)
Public Health - Recommendations for Immunizations, Screenings, and Preventive Services - Pharmacist Administration and Required Health Insurance Coverage (The Vax Act)