Senate Bill S3899

                                BILL NUMBER:S3899

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the education law, in relation to the
practice of pharmacy 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
immunizations 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 - 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:

New bill.

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.