New York Pharmacists Allowed to Give Flu Shots to Children After Executive Order

Flu season typically runs from October through May with peaks seen in February. However, flu cases nationwide continue to increase at alarming rates.

New York, like Florida, recently enacted legislation that addresses flu testing and administration by authorized pharmacists.

Last week, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a state disaster emergency and issued an executive order intending to expand access to immunize children against seasonal influenza.

Cuomo’s executive order suspends education law requirements related to the administration of immunizations by New York pharmacists. Under the executive order, licensed New York pharmacists who are already authorized to administer vaccinations against seasonal influenza to individuals 18 years of age and older may also:

• Administer vaccinations against seasonal influenza to individuals between two years and 18 years of age; and
• Use non-patient specific orders to ensure individuals between 2 years and 18 years of age receive seasonal influenza vaccinations.

Previously, authorized New York pharmacists were only allowed to administer immunizations to individuals 18 years and older and had to have a valid, patient-specific prescription from a primary care physician to administer vaccines to individuals ages 2 through 18 years.

Undoubtedly, New York pharmacists will play a vital role in addressing the flu epidemic.