465.189 Administration of influenza virus immunizations. - Florida Statutes

465.189 Administration of influenza virus immunizations.

   (1) Pharmacists may administer influenza virus immunizations to adults within the framework of an established protocol under a supervisory practitioner who is a physician licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459. Each protocol shall contain specific procedures for addressing any unforeseen allergic reaction to influenza virus immunizations.

   (2) A pharmacist may not enter into a protocol unless he or she maintains at least $200,000 of professional liability insurance and has completed training in influenza virus immunizations as provided in this section.

   (3) A pharmacist administering influenza virus immunizations shall maintain and make available patient records using the same standards for confidentiality and maintenance of such records as those that are imposed on health care practitioners under s. 456.057. These records shall be maintained for a minimum of 5 years.

   (4) The decision by a supervisory practitioner to enter into a protocol under this section is a professional decision on the part of the practitioner, and a person may not interfere with a supervisory practitioner’s decision as to entering into such a protocol. A pharmacist may not enter into a protocol that is to be performed while acting as an employee without the written approval of the owner of the pharmacy. Pharmacists shall forward immunization records to the department for inclusion in the state registry of immunization information.

   (5) Any pharmacist seeking to administer influenza virus immunizations to adults under this section must be certified to administer influenza virus immunizations pursuant to a certification program approved by the Board of Pharmacy in consultation with the Board of Medicine and the Board of Osteopathic Medicine. The certification program shall, at a minimum, require that the pharmacist attend at least 20 hours of continuing education classes approved by the board. The program shall have a curriculum of instruction concerning the safe and effective administration of influenza virus immunizations, including, but not limited to, potential allergic reactions to influenza virus immunizations.

   (6) The written protocol between the pharmacist and supervising physician must include particular terms and conditions imposed by the supervising physician upon the pharmacist relating to the administration of influenza virus immunizations by the pharmacist. The written protocol shall include, at a minimum, specific categories and conditions among patients for whom the supervising physician authorizes the pharmacist to administer influenza virus immunizations. The terms, scope, and conditions set forth in the written protocol between the pharmacist and the supervising physician must be appropriate to the pharmacist’s training and certification for immunization. Pharmacists who have been delegated the authority to administer influenza virus immunizations by the supervising physician shall provide evidence of current certification by the Board of Pharmacy to the supervising physician. Supervising physicians shall review the administration of influenza virus immunizations by the pharmacists under such physician’s supervision pursuant to the written protocol, and this review shall take place as outlined in the written protocol. The process and schedule for the review shall be outlined in the written protocol between the pharmacist and the supervising physician.

   (7) The pharmacist shall submit to the Board of Pharmacy a copy of his or her protocol or written agreement to administer influenza virus immunizations.

History. s. 3, ch. 2007-152.