The Vaccine Access Work Group, a coalition of 12 organizations representing pharmacy professionals, published Oct. 16 guiding principles for state policymaking on pharmacy personnel-administered vaccines.
The document outlines recommendations to address regulatory ambiguity in state laws governing vaccine administration by pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy interns. In many states, current laws tie vaccine authority to recommendations from federal agencies like the FDA and CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. When these recommendations shift, delays in vaccine access can ensue, according to an Oct. 16 news release.
The new guidance encourages state legislators to eliminate rigid statutory language and grant pharmacists authority to prescribe vaccines based on clinical expertise. It also addresses payment structures for pharmacist-provided vaccination services.
The 12 co-signing organizations include the American Pharmacists Association, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.
The work group, headquartered in Washington, D.C., said the guidance is designed to ensure patients do not face disruption in receiving immunizations due to unclear or outdated state laws.
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