Section 4729.41 | Authority to administer immunizations.
(A)(1) A pharmacist licensed under this chapter who meets the requirements of division (B) of this section, and a pharmacy intern licensed under this chapter who meets the requirements of division (B) of this section and is working under the direct supervision of a pharmacist who meets the requirements of that division, may do any of the following:
(a) Administer immunizations for influenza to individuals who are seven years of age or older;
(b) Only pursuant to a prescription, administer to individuals who are seven years of age or older but not more than thirteen years of age any of the immunizations included in division (A)(2) of this section;
(c) Administer to individuals who are thirteen years of age or older any of the immunizations included in division (A)(2) of this section.
(2) A pharmacist or pharmacy intern may administer in accordance with divisions (A)(1)(b) and (c) of this section either of the following:
(a) Any immunization that on the effective date of this amendment is included in either of the following immunization schedules recommended by the advisory committee on immunization practices of the centers for disease control and prevention in the United States department of health and human services:
(i) The recommended immunization schedule for persons aged zero through eighteen years;
(ii) The recommended adult immunization schedule.
(b) Any other immunization specified in rules adopted under division (E)(1)(d) of this section.
(3) As part of engaging in the administration of immunizations or supervising a pharmacy intern's administration of immunizations, a pharmacist may administer epinephrine or diphenhydramine, or both, to individuals in emergency situations resulting from adverse reactions to the immunizations administered by the pharmacist or pharmacy intern.
(B) For a pharmacist or pharmacy intern to be authorized to engage in the administration of immunizations pursuant to division (A) of this section, the pharmacist or pharmacy intern shall do all of the following:
(1) Successfully complete a course in the administration of immunizations that has been approved by the state board of pharmacy as meeting the standards established for such courses by the centers for disease control and prevention;
(2) Receive and maintain certification to perform basic life-support procedures by successfully completing a basic life-support training course certified by the American red cross or American heart association;
(3) Practice in accordance with a definitive set of treatment guidelines specified in a protocol established by a physician and approved by the state board of pharmacy.
(C) The protocol required by division (B)(3) of this section shall include provisions for implementation of the following requirements:
(1) The pharmacist or pharmacy intern who administers an immunization shall observe the individual who receives the immunization to determine whether the individual has an adverse reaction to the immunization. The length of time and location of the observation shall comply with the standards specified in rules adopted by the state board of pharmacy under division (E) of this section for the approval of protocols. The protocol shall specify procedures to be followed by a pharmacist when administering epinephrine, diphenhydramine, or both, to an individual who has an adverse reaction to an immunization administered by the pharmacist or a pharmacy intern.
(2) For each immunization administered to an individual by a pharmacist or pharmacy intern, other than an immunization for influenza administered to an individual eighteen years of age or older, the pharmacist or pharmacy intern shall notify the individual's family physician or, if the individual has no family physician, the board of health of the health district in which the individual resides or the authority having the duties of a board of health for that district under section 3709.05 of the Revised Code. The notice shall be given not later than thirty days after the immunization is administered.
(3) For each immunization administered by a pharmacist or pharmacy intern to an individual younger than eighteen years of age pursuant to division (A)(1) of this section, the pharmacist or a pharmacy intern shall obtain permission from the individual's parent or legal guardian in accordance with the procedures specified in rules adopted under division (E) of this section.
(D)(1) No pharmacist shall do either of the following:
(a) Engage in the administration of immunizations unless the requirements of division (B) of this section have been met;
(b) Delegate to any person the pharmacist's authority to engage in or supervise the administration of immunizations.
(2) No pharmacy intern shall engage in the administration of immunizations unless the requirements of division (B) of this section have been met.
(E)(1) The state board of pharmacy shall adopt rules to implement this section. The rules shall be adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code and shall include the following:
(a) Provisions for approval of courses in administration of immunizations;
(b) Provisions for approval of protocols to be followed by pharmacists and pharmacy interns in engaging in the administration of immunizations, including protocols that contain provisions specifying the locations at which a pharmacist or pharmacy intern may engage in the administration of immunizations;
(c) Procedures to be followed by pharmacists and pharmacy interns in obtaining from the individual's parent or legal guardian permission to administer immunizations to an individual younger than eighteen years of age pursuant to division (A)(1) of this section;
(d) Provisions specifying any immunizations that may be administered under division (A)(2)(b) of this section.
(2) Prior to adopting rules regarding approval of protocols to be followed by pharmacists and pharmacy interns in engaging in the administration of immunizations, the state board of pharmacy shall consult with the state medical board and the board of nursing.
(3) Prior to adopting rules specifying any immunizations that may be administered under division (A)(2)(b) of this section, the state board of pharmacy shall consult with the state medical board.
(F) In addition to the rules it adopts under division (E) of this section, the board may adopt rules that change the immunizations authorized by division (A)(2)(a) of this section to reflect changes in the recommendations of the advisory committee on immunization practices. The rules shall be adopted in accordance with Chapter 119 of the Revised Code.
Last updated May 14, 2021 at 5:07 PM
Available Versions of this Section
- September 12, 2008 – House Bill 283 - 127th General Assembly [ View September 12, 2008 Version ]
- March 19, 2015 – House Bill 394 - 130th General Assembly [ View March 19, 2015 Version ]
- April 8, 2019 – Amended by House Bill 101, House Bill 541 - 132nd General Assembly [ View April 8, 2019 Version ]
- May 14, 2021 – Amended by House Bill 6 - 134th General Assembly [ View May 14, 2021 Version ]