More Pharmacists Positioned to Protect Public Health by Expanding Immunization Services During Flu Season

September 16, 2010 3:37 pm

New state legislation, new state board of pharmacy regulations, and expanded continuing education offerings in several states have empowered more pharmacists to offer immunization services during the 2010-2011 influenza season. A survey conducted by the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists Immunization Task Force indicates that more than 57% of pharmacists in that state would support a rule authorizing pharmacists to administer all types of vaccinations, and more than 45% find it important to expand the scope of vaccinations as well as lower the age of patients to whom pharmacists may administer vaccinations. Such legislation was developed in several states in the wake of the 2009-2010 pandemic H1N1 alert and will now position pharmacists to help meet the high vaccination demand likely to occur in the 2010-2011 influenza season.

More information is available in a September 2010 NABP Newsletter article.