South Carolina Immunization Protocol Signed

February 18, 2011 11:54 AM Topics: Vaccinations

Originally Published in the February 2011 South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation –Board of Pharmacy Newsletter

Act No. 224, enacted by the South Carolina General Assembly, authorizes pharmacists to administer the influenza vaccine to individuals 18 years and older without a prescription drug order pursuant to a protocol issued by the Board of Medical Examiners. The immunization protocol has been signed by the Board of Medical Examiners and is now considered effective. All pharmacists administering the influenza vaccine without a prescription need to follow the protocol completely. A complete protocol and appendixes are on the Board of Pharmacy Web site under Board News – Pharmacist Administered Influenza Protocol. Some of the frequently asked questions have been:

1. Can a pharmacist administer influenza vaccines to someone under the age of 18? Yes, if you have the proper training and have a patient-specific prescription.
2. Can a pharmacy technician or pharmacy intern administer influenza vaccines under the protocol? No. Under the protocol only a pharmacist may administer.
3. Can a pharmacist still administer other vaccines? Yes, but only if you have a patient-specific prescription or protocol.

Keep in mind that a legitimate prescription can only be issued when there is a proper physician-patient relationship. The South Carolina Board of Pharmacy Policy and Procedure 138 further defines the professional standards expected of immunizing pharmacists.