Pharmacists as Immunizers
New York State Education laws § 6527, 6801, and 6909 permit licensed pharmacists, who obtain an additional certification, to administer influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations to adults 18 years of age and older.
Table of Contents
- Non-Patient Specific Orders
- Laws and Regulations
- Pharmacists as Immunizers Resources
- Certified Pharmacist Immunization Survey 2011
- How to Request a Health Commerce System (HCS) Account
Non-Patient Specific Orders
A non-patient specific order authorizes one or more named pharmacists, or pharmacists who are not individually named but are identified as employed or under contract with an entity that it legally authorized to employ or contract with pharmacists to provide pharmaceutical services, to administer specified immunization agents to a defined group of individuals, for a prescribed period of time.
A non-patient specific order must be signed by a New York State licensed physician or nurse practictioner practicing in the same county the pharmacist will be administering vaccine.
- Non-Patient Specific Order and Protocol Guidelines, New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions
- Non-Patient Specific Order for Pharmacists Administering Influenza Vaccine to Adults (PDF, 136KB, 2pg.)
- Non-Patient Specific Order for Administering Pneumococcal Vaccine to Adults (PDF, 116KB, 2pg.)
- Non-Patient Specific Order for Medical Management of Vaccine Reactions in Adult Patients (PDF, 132KB, 2pg.)
Laws and Regulations
- Dear County Health Commissioner Letter Advising of Amendments to New York State Education Law (PDF, 47KB, 2pg.)
- Regulations of the Commissioner Part 63, Pharmacy
- Education Law Article 137, Pharmacy, Section 6800-6828
- Education Law Article 131, Section 6527: Special provisions
- Provides that a "licensed physician may prescribe and order a non-patient specific regimen to a licensed pharmacist... for administering immunizations."
- Education Law Article 139, Section 6909: Special provision
- Provides that a "certified nurse practitioner may prescribe and order a non-patient specific regimen to a licensed pharmacist... for administering immunizations."
- Public Health Law: Article 21, Title 6, Section 2168 - Statewide Immunization Registry
- Discusses the reporting of vaccinations into the statewide immunization registry (NYSIIS).
- NYC Health Code Section §11.07 Confidentiality of reports and records.
Pharmacists as Immunizers Resources
- Vaccine Information Statements (VIS)
- Notification of Vaccination Letter (sample), Immunization Action Coalition
- Pharmacists and Immunization/Vaccination Resources for Pharmacists, Immunization Action Coalition
- Immunization Information for Providers
- New York State Board of Pharmacy (NYSBOP)
- Pharmacists Society of the State of New York (PSSNY)
- American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
- Getting the Best Health Care by Having a Medical Home
- NYS Medicaid Program Pharmacists as Immunizers Fact Sheet
- Certified Pharmacists Immunizer Letter: Your Responsibility to Adhere to Mandated Reporting Requirements and to Report on All Seasonal Influenza - July 2010
- NYSDOH Seasonal Influenza and Pneumococcal Prevention Campaign Educational Materials Order Form (see page 4 for pharmacy specific stickers) (PDF, 146KB, 6pg.)
Certified Pharmacist Immunization Survey 2011
All New York State pharmacies employing New York State certified pharmacist immunizers have the responsibility to report information about all seasonal and pneumococcal vaccinations they administered in the 2010-2011 flu season. A survey was posted on the New York State Department of Health, Health Commerce System (HCS) on August 29, 2011 for these reporting purposes. The survey deadline has been extended to November 15, 2011.
Pharmacies can either report on behalf of their certified pharmacists or ask their certified pharmacist immunizer employees to complete the survey themselves. Instructions for completing the survey and for obtaining an HCS account can also be found below. Please print the survey instructions, as they will expedite your accurate completion of the survey.
- Dear Pharmacy Director August 30, 2011 (PDF, 136KB, 3pgs.)
- The Certified Pharmacist Immunizer 2011 Survey (PERDS) Instructions (PDF, 138KB, 2pgs.)
- 2011 NYS Certified Pharmacist Immunizer Reporting Requirements Reminder February 16, 2011
- Certified Pharmacist Immunizer Survey Final Report 2008-2011 Reporting Period (PDF, 270KB, 14pgs.)
How to Request a Health Commerce System (HCS) Account
The NYSDOH Health Commerce System is a secure intranet designed by NYSDOH specifically for electronically exchanging health related data and information between health care providers and NYSDOH. The process to obtain an HCS account can take up to two weeks.
If you are not sure if your work site has previously applied for access to the HCS, who your HCS Coordinator is or have general questions, contact the Commerce Account Management Unit (CAMU) Help Desk at 1-866-529-1890, option 1 or hinhpn@health.state.ny.us.
