Authorizes a licensed pharmacist to administer flu immunizations to persons nine years of age or older.
Summary
This bill amends the Education Law to authorize licensed pharmacists in New York to administer influenza immunizations to persons nine years of age or older. Under current law, pharmacists may already have authority to provide certain immunizations, and this bill specifically adds flu shots for children and others beginning at age nine. The bill is limited to influenza vaccines and does not change who may prescribe vaccines or alter broader pharmacy licensing rules.
The measure would take effect 90 days after becoming law. Its practical effect would be to expand access to seasonal flu vaccination by allowing more patients to receive immunizations at pharmacies rather than only through other health care providers or settings. It would also place this authority directly into the Education Law governing pharmacy practice.
Impact
The bill would amend section 6801 of the Education Law by adding a new subdivision authorizing licensed pharmacists to administer influenza immunizations to individuals age nine and older. This would expand the scope of pharmacy practice in New York and could increase vaccination access, especially for families seeking convenient flu shots. It would affect pharmacists, pharmacies, patients age nine and up, and potentially public health vaccination efforts, while leaving other immunization rules unchanged except as specifically provided.
Sentiment
No committee transcript or recorded vote information was provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or opposition in the materials supplied. Based on the bill text and caption alone, the measure appears straightforward and public-health oriented, with an apparent goal of improving access to flu vaccination through pharmacists. The available context does not show any formal sentiment from legislators, advocates, or opponents.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Potential areas of debate, if raised, could include whether pharmacists should vaccinate younger patients, training and safety requirements, and how this authority interacts with pediatric vaccination practices. However, the record supplied contains no transcript, vote, or amendment history indicating that any of these issues were actively disputed.
Permits licensed pharmacists and nurse practitioners to prescribe and order COVID-19 immunizations; permits physicians to issue non-patient specific orders to pharmacists for COVID-19 immunizations for patients two years of age and older; permits pharmacists to issue patient specific orders for COVID-19 immunizations for patients two years of age and older.
Permits licensed pharmacists and nurse practitioners to prescribe and order COVID-19 immunizations; permits physicians to issue non-patient specific orders to pharmacists for COVID-19 immunizations for patients two years of age and older; permits pharmacists to issue patient specific orders for COVID-19 immunizations for patients two years of age and older.
Authorizes registered pharmacy technicians to administer the same immunizations as licensed pharmacists under direct supervision of such licensed pharmacist.
Authorizes registered pharmacy technicians to administer the same immunizations as licensed pharmacists under direct supervision of such licensed pharmacist.
Requires a health care provider who administers an immunization to a person nineteen years of age or older must report such information to the department of health or to the New York city citywide immunization registry unless the person receiving the immunization objects to such reporting.
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.
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.