BILL NUMBER: S2379

SPONSOR: HOYLMAN
 
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.