Ind. law expands pharmacist-administered vaccinations

NEW YORK — Under a new law, pharmacists in Indiana will be able to provide an expanded range of immunizations that includes human papillomavirus.

The new law will also allow pharmacists to give immunizations for whooping cough, pneumonia, tetanus, diphtheria and meningitis starting on July 1. Currently, they may only administer flu vaccines. Pharmacists can give the immunizations under a drug order, prescription or according to a protocol approved by physicians. The protocols are available for elderly people receiving the pneumonia vaccine and those ages 11 years and older for the others, lower than the currently required age of 14 years.

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed the bill on April 29 in an event attended by leaders from the Indiana Pharmacists Association; the Indiana Retail Council; pharmacists from Walgreens, Kroger, Salem, Ind.-based DanMar Pharmacy, where the signing took place, and others; and heads of the pharmacy schools of Purdue University, Butler University and Manchester University.