Relates to the administration of certain immunizations; makes provisions permanent

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 of the bill amends subdivision 7 of section 6527 of the Education Law to allow a licensed physician to issue a patient specific or non-patient specific regimen to a licensed pharmacist for immunizations listed on the routine immunization schedules recommended by the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Section 2 of the bill amends subdivision 7 of section 6909 of the Education Law to allow a certified nurse practitioner to issue a patient specific or non-patient specific regimen to a licensed pharmacist for immunizations listed on the routine immunization schedules recommended by the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Section 3 of the bill amends section 6801 of the Education Law to make technical amendments and removes a requirement for a report that was issued in 2011.

Section 4 of the bill amends subdivision 22 of section 6802 of the Education Law to authorize pharmacists to administer immunizations listed on the routine immunization schedules recommended by the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. It also authorizes a non-patient specific regimen statewide in the event of a disease outbreak or the imminent threat of a disease outbreak, as determined by the commissioner of health. The requirement that standing orders be issued by a physician or nurse practitioner practicing in the same county in which the immunization is administered is eliminated.

Section 5 of the bill eliminates the sunset provision that applies to pharmacists' authority to administer immunizations to prevent influenza and pneumococcal disease.

Section 6 of the bill eliminates the requirement that a report be issued to the governor and legislature regarding the rates of health insurance plan coverage for immunizations to prevent acute herpes zoster. It also eliminates the sunset provision that applies to pharmacists' authority to administer immunizations to prevent influenza and pneumococcal disease.

Section 7 of the bill eliminates the sunset provision that applies to pharmacists' authority to administer immunizations to prevent meningococcal disease.

Section 8 of the bill is the effective date.

Justification

Under existing law, licensed New York State pharmacists may only administer vaccinations for influenza, pneumococcal, or meningococcal disease pursuant to a non-patient specific regimen ordered by a physician or certified nurse practitioner, or an immunization to prevent acute herpes zoster pursuant to a patient specific order by a physician or certified nurse practitioner.

This bill would bring New York State into line with the vast majority of other states by allowing pharmacists to administer any vaccination recommended by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Forty-three states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, currently allow pharmacists to administer such vaccinations.

Allowing licensed pharmacists to administer vaccinations would greatly increase access to immunizations, as pharmacists are typically the most accessible health care providers in a community.

Under this bill, pharmacists would be authorized to administer vaccinations to adults aged 18 years and older for tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (TDAP), measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), human papillomavirus (HPV), varicella (Chicken Pox), hepatitis A & B, and haemophilus influenzae type B (HiB).

Prior legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that the amendments to section 6801 of the education law made by section one of this act shall not affect the expiration of such section and shall be deemed to expire therewith.