Pharmacy technician-administered immunizations: A five-year review

Abstract

In October 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued guidance authorizing trained pharmacy technicians in all states to administer immunizations. Given that this action is temporary, it will be necessary for states to adopt their own legislation or regulations to sustain these efforts beyond the coronavirus pandemic. At least 11 different immunization administration training programs have emerged for pharmacy technicians. An increasing number of publications have emerged on pharmacy technician immunization administration, demonstrating the ability to train technicians and have them safely administer immunizations in practice. Supervising pharmacists reported initial hesitancy but strong acceptance of delegating this task after experience in practice. States should look to expand and make permanent the authority of pharmacy technicians to ensure these benefits can continue to be realized after the HHS guidance expires.

The over‐regulation of pharmacist services: Why over‐the‐counter naloxone should spark conversation about a “standard of care” regulatory approach

“…47,48 In so doing, the Idaho Of note, other federal forays into pharmacist prescribing have suffered from the same over-regulation observed at the state level. [54][55][56][57] Thus, federal action to override state laws is not a panacea, and OTC access is not appropriate for all medications. Even in the case of naloxone nasal spray, OTC access lagged behind state naloxone access laws being mainstream by more than 7 years, and thus, waiting on federal action would have adversely impacted public health by denying access to a needed product.…”

“…Of note, other federal forays into pharmacist prescribing have suffered from the same over‐regulation observed at the state level 54–57 . Thus, federal action to override state laws is not a panacea, and OTC access is not appropriate for all medications.…”

Promising practices and pockets of excellence: Community pharmacists supporting wellness for reproductive‐age women

“…Beyond simply administering COVID-19 tests at the beginning of the pandemic, 59 the PREP Act later empowered community pharmacists to administer COVID-19 immunizations, as well as supervise pharmacy interns and technicians who may also administer COVID-19 immunizations. 63 As the pandemic continued, pharmacists have subsequently been empowered to order and administer certain COVID-19 therapeutics. 64 This represents a clear effort to eliminate scope of practice barriers at the national level to address the pandemic, though only through temporary authorization.…”

“…More recently, response to the pandemic has further demonstrated the rapid response and scope expansion that is possible by pharmacists. Beyond simply administering COVID‐19 tests at the beginning of the pandemic, 59 the PREP Act later empowered community pharmacists to administer COVID‐19 immunizations, as well as supervise pharmacy interns and technicians who may also administer COVID‐19 immunizations 63 . As the pandemic continued, pharmacists have subsequently been empowered to order and administer certain COVID‐19 therapeutics 64 .…”

A qualitative evaluation of pharmacy technician opinions about administering immunizations

“…17 This has led to rapid expansion in the number of available training programs and technicians administering immunizations in the US. 18 …”