NAC639.2973. Training and certification to administer immunizations.  


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  •      1. Before a pharmacist may administer an immunization pursuant to a written protocol or before an intern pharmacist acting under the direct and immediate supervision of a pharmacist may administer such immunizations, the pharmacist or intern pharmacist must be trained and certified to administer immunizations by completing a course approved by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education that includes:

         (a) Certification in life-saving techniques pursuant to the American Heart Association’s Basic Cardiac Life Support for Health Care Providers or its equivalent;

         (b) Education and practical training, including, without limitation, written study materials regarding techniques for administering immunizations;

         (c) Evaluation of the knowledge and technique of the pharmacist or intern pharmacist in administering immunizations;

         (d) Instruction consistent with the current training guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and

         (e) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, a minimum of 20 hours of instruction and practical training concerning:

              (1) The standards for pediatric, adolescent and adult immunization practices recommended and approved by the United States Public Health Service Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices;

              (2) Basic immunology, and vaccine and immunization protection;

              (3) Diseases that are preventable through vaccination and immunization;

              (4) Recommended immunization schedules;

              (5) Vaccine and immunization storage and management;

              (6) Informed consent;

              (7) Physiology and techniques for administration of immunizations;

              (8) Preimmunization and postimmunization assessment and counseling;

              (9) Immunization reporting and records management; and

              (10) Identification, response, documentation and reporting of adverse events.

         2. In lieu of complying with the requirements of paragraph (e) of subsection 1, a pharmacist or an intern pharmacist who administers immunizations consisting exclusively of live attenuated influenza vaccine through the nasal passages of a person may complete a program of less than 20 hours of instruction which is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education and includes instruction relating to:

         (a) The epidemiology of influenza;

         (b) The pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of influenza;

         (c) The administration, storage and handling of influenza vaccines; and

         (d) The counseling of patients who will be immunized with the vaccine.

     (Added to NAC by Bd. of Pharmacy by R009-01, eff. 11-1-2001; A by R187-03, 4-8-2004; R180-05, 12-29-2005; R115-08, 9-18-2008)