What's happening
This bill allows licensed pharmacists in New York to administer influenza immunizations to individuals aged nine and older.
Why it matters
Expands access to flu vaccines, especially for children and adolescents. By lowering the minimum age for pharmacist-administered flu shots to nine, the bill makes it easier for families to get immunized at local pharmacies instead of needing a doctor’s appointment.
Could increase overall immunization rates. Allowing pharmacists to vaccinate younger populations may boost public health by reducing barriers to vaccination, potentially leading to higher community immunity against influenza.
Relieves pressure on healthcare providers. With pharmacists able to immunize more people, especially during flu season, doctors and clinics may be less burdened, allowing them to focus on more complex patient needs.
Aligns New York with other states. Many states already allow pharmacists to vaccinate children; this change brings New York’s policy closer to national norms, responding to calls for greater pharmacy involvement in preventive care.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let Pharmacists Give Flu Shots
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2379
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 24, 2019
Introduced by Sen. HOYLMAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to the practice of pharmacy and administration of immunizations
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 6801 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 6 to read as follows:
6. A licensed pharmacist may administer immunizations to prevent influenza to a person nine years of age or older.
§ 2. 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.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07339-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to the practice of phar- macy and administration of immunizations
Purpose or general idea of bill
Allows pharmacists to administer influenza immunizations to children as young as nine years old.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends section 6801 of the education law by adding a new subdivision 6 allowing licensed pharmacists to administer immuni- zations to prevent influenza to a person nine years of age or older.
Section 2 of the bill is the effective date.
Justification
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend routine annual influenza vaccination for all individuals aged six months or older who do not have contraindications.
Under existing New York State Law, a licensed pharmacist may administer influenza vaccinations to adults aged 18 years or older. This bill would allow licensed pharmacists to administer influenza vaccinations for children as young as nine years old. Doing so would bring New York State in line with a majority of other states - at least 32 states plus the District of Columbia already allow pharmacists to give flu shots to children nine years old or younger.
Expanding the ability of pharmacists to administer flu shots to children will greatly increase access of immunizations, as pharmacists are one of the most accessible health care professionals.
Prior legislative history
S.570 of 2017-2018 (Hoylman): Died in Higher Education S.3899 of 2015-2016 (Hoylman): Died in Higher Education
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.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.