Supported by the West Virginia Pharmacists Association, Senate Bill 544 was passed by West Virginia Legislature and sent to Governor Jim Justice for his signature, authorizing pharmacists and pharmacy interns to administer immunizations.
The Board of Medicine and the Board of Osteopathic Medicine shall propose joint rules for legislative approval to permit a licensed pharmacist or pharmacy intern to administer immunizations in accordance with definitive treatment guidelines for immunizations promulgated by the latest notice from the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including, but not limited to, the CDC’s recommended immunization schedule for adults, children and adolescents.
In addition, the joint rules shall permit a licensed pharmacist or pharmacy intern to administer immunizations in accordance with definitive treatment guidelines for immunizations promulgated by the latest notice from the CDC, including, but not limited to, the CDC’s recommended immunization schedule for adults, children and adolescents to a person age 11 through 17, with written informed parental consent when presented with a prescription from a physician and there are no contraindications to that patient receiving that vaccine.
The new law prohibits a pharmacists from delegating the authority to administer immunizations to any person, unless administered by a licensed pharmacy intern under the direct supervision of a pharmacist of who both pharmacist and intern have successfully completed all board-approved training.
The Board of Pharmacy, with the advice and consent of the Board of Medicine and Board of Osteopathic Medicine shall propose rules for legislative approval to perform influenza and pneumonia immunizations on a person of 18 years of age or order.
