South Dakota News: Zostavax Immunization

July 1, 2007 11:37 AM Topics: Vaccinations

Published in the July 2007 South Dakota State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter

The Board of Pharmacy has approved only those pharmacists certified to administer the influenza vaccine to administer Zostavax® to patients 60 years and older if the patient has a prescription from an authorized prescriber.

Those pharmacists authorized to administer Zostavax must first obtain medical health information and advise the patient of possible side effects. Zostavax is a live virus, and, theoretically, there are risks that the live virus can be transmitted to close contacts who are susceptible to the varicella virus.

 Records of administration shall be maintained for five years and the primary physician shall be notified within 10 days of administration.

If there are any questions on record keeping or help needed to develop a form, please contact the Board of Pharmacy at 605/362-2737.