I want to update you on our ongoing advocacy efforts to expand and elevate the critical role pharmacists have in promoting public health and improving patient outcomes. After a significant collaborative effort among various stakeholders including multiple pharmacy associations, all of the New York pharmacy colleges, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and various legislators, Governor Hochul signed legislation this week that expands the immunizations pharmacists can administer to adults.

Under the new law, which goes into effect February 1, 2022, pharmacists will be able to administer additional CDC-recommended vaccines including those to prevent hepatitis A and B, human papillomavirus, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella. This new law also makes permanent the ability for licensed pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine.

This is a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to advance the pharmacy profession and underscores the critical role pharmacists have on the health care team. Pharmacists fill gaps in both rural and urban areas and are an important partner in educating patients about the need for and importance of getting vaccinated.

In her press release, the Governor shared that studies show that pharmacist-provided immunizations increase overall immunization rates. Co-sponsors of the bill, Senator Stavisky and Assemblymember Hyndman added that pharmacists administering vaccines "save lives in our most medically underserved communities," since "pharmacists are the immediate and most accessible route to care." 

While our advocacy efforts continue, this is good news for the pharmacy profession.