Authorizes a licensed pharmacist and certified nurse practitioner to administer meningococcal disease immunizing agents

1 Co-sponsor

• Kenneth P. LaValle

BILL NUMBER:S4881A

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to authorizing a licensed pharmacist and certified nurse practitioner to administer meningococcal disease immunizing agents

Summary of provisions

Section One amends Subdivision 7 of section 6527 of the education law by adding a new paragraph c to state that a licensed pharmacist, pursuant to regulations promulgated by the commissioner, and consistent with the public health law, may administer immunizations to prevent meningococcal disease.

Section Two amends Subdivision 7 of section 6909 to add a new paragraph C to state that a certified nurse practitioner may prescribe an order and order a non-patient specific regimen to a licensed pharmacist, pursuant to regulations promulgated by the commissioner, and consistent with public health law, for administering immunizations to prevent meningococcal disease.

Section Three of the bill amends Subdivision 22 of section 6802 of the education law, as amended by chapter 116 of the laws of 2012 to add meningococcal disease or a patient specific order or non-patient specific regimen prescribed or ordered by a physician or certified nurse practitioner for immunization to prevent meningococcal disease.

Existing law

New law.

Justification

This legislation would amend the Education Law to allow licensed pharmacists, who have received additional certification, to administer meningococcal vaccinations to adults 18 years of age and older.

Providing this additional access point for this vaccine is particularly important since the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) has documented an alarming outbreak of a unique strain of invasive meningococcal disease, also known as meningitis, among men who have sex with men (MSM) A March 22, 2013 New York Times article, "City Health Officials Warn Some Men on Lethal Strain of Meningitis," noted that this strain "is so insidious that it could suddenly mushroom into a major outbreak, claiming many lives before anything can be done to stop it."

Meningitis bacteria are spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions. Fortunately, standard meningococcal vaccines are effective against this new strain; New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley has said, "Vaccination is the best defense." On March 6, 2013, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) issued a recommendation advising all HIV+ MSM and MSM regardless of HIV status who connect online or meet at a bar or party in New York City to receive a meningococcal vaccination. On March 25, the New York State Department of Health expanded an earlier recommendation regarding meningococcal vaccination to include certain MSM statewide.

It is critically important to make meningococcal vaccine as accessible as possible. Vaccination is currently available at many health clinics, hospitals and private doctors' offices, but there have been numerous anecdotal reports of at-risk men encountering obstacles getting vaccinated through those traditional venues.

Since 2008, New York State has allowed licensed and certified pharmacists to administer adult influenza and pneumonia vaccines. In light of the potential public health crisis, New York State should allow licensed and certified pharmacists to administer adult meningococcal vaccinations as well. Even if only those pharmacists in communities at the epicenter of the current outbreak were to become certified and advertise the availability of the vaccine, it would have a significant impact on containing the spread of this deadly disease.

Legislative history

New bill

Fiscal implications

Minimal

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall become law.