(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) and (c) of this section, an immunizing pharmacist may administer vaccinations or immunizations only if the vaccinations or immunizations are recommended or required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and administered to persons at least 18 years of age pursuant to a specific prescription order.
(b) An immunizing pharmacist may administer the vaccinations or immunizations listed in subdivisions (1) through (5) of this subsection to persons at least 18 years of age if the vaccinations or immunizations are administered under written protocols as defined in 21 NCAC 46 .2507(b)(12) and 21 NCAC 32U .0101(b)(12) and in accordance with the supervising physician's responsibilities as defined in 21 NCAC 46 .2507(e) and 21 NCAC 32U .0101(e), and the physician is licensed in and has a practice physically located in North Carolina:
(1) Pneumococcal polysaccharide or pneumococcal conjugate vaccines.
(2) Herpes zoster vaccine.
(3) Hepatitis B vaccine.
(4) Meningococcal polysaccharide or meningococcal conjugate vaccines.
(5) Tetanus-diphtheria, tetanus and diphtheria toxoids and pertussis, tetanus and diphtheria toxoids and acellular pertussis, or tetanus toxoid vaccines. However, a pharmacist shall not administer any of these vaccines if the patient discloses that the patient has an open wound, puncture, or tissue tear.
(c) An immunizing pharmacist may administer the influenza vaccine to persons at least 14 years of age pursuant to 21 NCAC 46 .2507 and 21 NCAC 32U .0101.
(d) An immunizing pharmacist who administers a vaccine or immunization to any patient pursuant to this section shall do all of the following:
(1) Maintain a record of any vaccine or immunization administered to the patient in a patient profile.
(2) Within 72 hours after administration of the vaccine or immunization, notify any primary care provider identified by the patient. If the patient does not identify a primary care provider, the immunizing pharmacist shall direct the patient to information describing the benefits to a patient of having a primary care physician, prepared by any of the following: North Carolina Medical Board, North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians, North Carolina Medical Society, or Community Care of North Carolina.
(3) Except for influenza vaccines administered under G.S. 90-85.15B(b)(6), access the North Carolina Immunization Registry prior to administering the vaccine or immunization and record any vaccine or immunization administered to the patient in the registry within 72 hours after the administration. In the event the registry is not operable, an immunizing pharmacist shall report as soon as reasonably possible. (2013-246, s. 4.)
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Last modified: March 23, 2014