NJ Bill to allow pharmacists to administer vaccines to children over 14

[Mirzam]

http://www.statescape.com/SSBillText/NJ20122013/NJ_20122013_AB_003251_Current_2932.htm

[a] pharmacist may administer drugs to a patient 14 years of age or older pursuant to a prescription by a New Jersey licensed physician for a vaccine and related emergency medications, in immunization programs implemented pursuant to a New Jersey licensed physician’s standing order for the vaccine and related emergency medications, or in immunization programs and programs sponsored by governmental agencies that are not patient specific,

[Taximom5]

Great.  A pharmacist would then be able to give vaccinations to children who might have medical contraindications, and the pharmacist would have no way of knowing the child's medical record.

This looks like a back-door way to get around parental consent, like they did in California.  Bring a pharmacist to the schools, and 
"grab'em and stab'em."  Children who are non-verbal (say, those who recently immigrated from other countries, or those with severe AUTISM) would not be able to tell the pharmacist that they have had previous severe reactions, and would not be able to tell anyone at home that they'd received a vaccine at school that day.

[prosciencemum]

That does seems concerning. I would rather children be vaccinated with doctors and nurses present.

Why is it more likely a pharmacist would go to a school to do vaccinations than a doctor or nurse?

[MeepyCat]

And why would a pharmacist be exempt from the standard requirements concerning parental consent?

The "grab and stab" tactic described is wildly unethical, but putting pharmacists in the picture doesn't change the legal or ethical situation.

[Dakotacakes]

From reading the bill it doesn't seem to change the informed consent that exists, only that it lowers the age that pharmacist can inject from 18 to 14.

I am okay with this for two reasons. One pharmacists are educated healthcare professionals. and Two sadly many Americans don't have other access to healthcare and this can help alleviate. Nothing in the bill that I read is forcing anyone to take their 14 year old to a pharmacy for vaccines, just allowing the option.

[rnra]

Originally Posted by Mirzam 

a] pharmacist may administer drugs to a patient 14 years of age or older pursuant to a prescription by a New Jersey licensed physician for a vaccine

It sounds like there still has to be a prescription from a physician in order to administer the vaccine.  It's not taking physicians entirely out of the picture.

That's how it is in a state where I lived...the physician would write a prescription for the vaccination, hand the prescription to the patient, and the patient would go to the pharmacy for the vaccine.  For some patients, the cost (with insurance) was much cheaper through the pharmacy than it is through a physician office because some insurances cover it under their prescription programs if the pharmacist gives it.  

I don't see a problem with having pharmacists give vaccines to patients 14 and up.  They are trained medical professionals.

[Rrrrrachel]

As long as a thorough health history is still taken and it doesn't undermine having a relationship with a GP I don't have a problem with it.  If it creates a situation where insurance companies are denying well child visits or the like because you should just go to the pharmacist to get a host, I have a problem with it.

[prosciencemum]

Originally Posted by Rrrrrachel 

As long as a thorough health history is still taken and it doesn't undermine having a relationship with a GP I don't have a problem with it.  If it creates a situation where insurance companies are denying well child visits or the like because you should just go to the pharmacist to get a host, I have a problem with it.

That is a good point. Most (all?) insurance companies seems like they will try to do anything to cut corners on their costs - even at the detriment of their customers's health.

If this is just about making it easier for people to get vaccines after they have been recommended by increasing the number of different ways they're available, then I guess I'm OK with it though. 

[Taximom5]

This is New Jersey we're talking about, where vaccines are not just recommended, but mandated. New Jersey is also home to most of the US vaccine manufacturers. What a surprise.

[erigeron]

In Ohio pharmacists can already administer the flu shot for patients 14 and up (all other shots administered by pharmacists they need to be 18 and up). It doesn't negate informed consent. I'm sure there are similar laws in other states already as well. For anybody who is really paranoid about clinics in the schools, I don't see that this really changes anything versus having them staffed by nurses. I don't see the fuss here.

[Imakcerka]

Originally Posted by erigeron 

In Ohio pharmacists can already administer the flu shot for patients 14 and up (all other shots administered by pharmacists they need to be 18 and up). It doesn't negate informed consent. I'm sure there are similar laws in other states already as well. For anybody who is really paranoid about clinics in the schools, I don't see that this really changes anything versus having them staffed by nurses. I don't see the fuss here.

Vaccines used to be administered in school.  Along with checking for lice and scoliosis. 

[erigeron]

Well, yeah, I figured that. I don't remember ever getting a vaccine in school, but enough stories have come up here. But why should it matter if it's a pharmacist versus a nurse who's administering them? 

[Imakcerka]

Originally Posted by erigeron 

Well, yeah, I figured that. I don't remember ever getting a vaccine in school, but enough stories have come up here. But why should it matter if it's a pharmacist versus a nurse who's administering them? 

It shouldn't really.  My point was that it's not NEW.  These are things that have been done before. 

[erigeron]

So we agree then. Carry on. :)

[Drummer's Wife]

See, I don't have a problem with this. Pharmacists tend to have doctorate degrees, in pharmaceuticals, no? I mean, the 20 yr old medical assistant who gives shots at many peds offices has a 9 month certification. And public health offices usually have a nurse on site who does injections. There's still the element of parental consent (or patient consent, if we are talking an adult). I don't see the big deal.