State Board of Pharmacy Immunization Updates

Since 2006, pharmacists have been authorized to administer injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations to individuals 18 years of age or older. In July 2022, the State Board of Pharmacy (Board) published a final-form rulemaking to expand that authority by establishing a standard for administering influenza immunizations to children 9 years of age or older, and authorizing pharmacy interns to administer injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations under the direct and immediate personal supervision of a pharmacist.

This authority was  further extended by Act 80 of 2022 which authorized pharmacists and pharmacy interns to administer not just influenza immunizations but also novel coronavirus (COVID-19) immunizations. Additionally, the amendments allowed pharmacists and pharmacy interns to administer influenza and COVID-19 immunizations to individuals 5 years of age and older (the allowable minimum age was previously 9 years old). Additionally, the types of professionals, other than pharmacists, who can provide supervision to pharmacy interns when administering immunizations were expanded to include physicians, physician assistants (PA) and certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNP). Pharmacists previously could not delegate their authority to administer injectables; however, Act 80 of 2022 authorized a delegation of their authority to PAs, CRNPs, registered nurses (RN) and licensed practical nurses (LPN) for the purpose of administering influenza and COVID-19 immunizations.

In 2024, Act 77 amended the Pharmacy Benefit Reform Act (PBRA) which extended the administration of injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations by pharmacy professionals even further. Pharmacists and supervised pharmacy interns may administer injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations to individuals 8 years of age and older (the allowable minimum age was previously 18 years of age). Additionally, under the PBRA, pharmacists may now delegate the authority to administer immunizations to pharmacy technicians (limited to administering only influenza and COVID-19 immunizations, and only to individuals 13 years of age or older), provided the pharmacy technician satisfies all of the requirements set forth in the PBRA and receives direct and immediate personal supervision from a qualified pharmacist.

The Board amended its regulations to comply with these statutory changes.