SENATE HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2889

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  OCTOBER 8, 2020

      The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 2889.

      This bill revises the requirements under current law for pharmacists to administer vaccinations, including the seasonal influenza vaccine, and authorizes pharmacists to administer vaccines against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

      Under current law, pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy externs may generally administer vaccines to patients 18 years of age or older pursuant to an individual prescription for the vaccine, a standing order for the vaccine issued by an authorized prescriber, or an immunization program that is not patient specific.  Pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy externs may further administer the influenza vaccine to any patient who is 10 years of age or older without a prescription; for patients younger than 18 years of age, the consent of the patient’s parent is required, and for patients who are seven years of age or older but younger than 10, a prescription for the vaccine is required.

      As amended, the bill revises these requirements to allow pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy externs to administer vaccines to patients three years of age or older.  The bill removes a requirement that the vaccine be for the prevention of a disease for which a national program is in effect.  With regard to the seasonal influenza vaccine, the bill removes certain restrictions that apply to individuals younger than to years of age.  These revisions reflect changes in applicable federal laws.

      As amended, the bill allows pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy externs to administer immunizations authorized by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), if the administration of the immunization is either consistent with applicable rules, regulations, or guidelines established by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or consistent with the United States Food and Drug Administration labeling for the immunization.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amendments revise the current law concerning vaccinations administered by pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy externs to remove certain outdated provisions that have been obviated by changes in federal law.

      The committee amendments remove language from the bill that would have authorized pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy externs to administer medications for the treatment of COVID-19.

      The committee amendments revise the synopsis of the bill to reflect these changes.