Pharmacist Immunization Authority

Every state allows pharmacists to administer immunizations, but laws vary widely in the details surrounding that authorization. There are three main categories to consider when looking at pharmacists’ vaccination authority by state:

  1. Which vaccines can be administered: Can pharmacists administer all FDA-approved vaccines, CDC/ACIP-recommended vaccines, or only vaccines specifically listed in statute?
  2. Who prescribes the vaccine for a patient: The pharmacist (independent authority) or another healthcare provider via protocol or prescription (dependent authority)?
  3. What patient can receive a vaccine from a pharmacist: Are there age ranges or other limits in place, and are they the same for all vaccines the pharmacist is allowed to administer, or does it vary depending on the vaccine?

The interactive map below provides a visual representation of how broad pharmacists’ vaccination authority is in each state.

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Click below for a detailed updated resource of pharmacist authority to provide vaccinations, by vaccination type, as of July 2021.

Details on Immunization Authority

2021 Enacted Legislation – Updates to Immunization Authority (as of July 15, 2021)

  • Arkansas HB 1134: Authorizes pharmacists to independently prescribe and administer vaccines (and medications treating adverse reactions to vaccines) to persons 3 years of age and older [Effective July 30, 2021]
  • Arkansas HB 1135: Authorizes pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines to persons 3 years of age and older, if delegated by a supervising pharmacist [Effective July 30, 2021]
  • Colorado (regulatory change): Aligns state regulations with federal guidance allowing pharmacy technicians to administer immunizations and simplifies the record keeping requirements for pharmacists and pharmacies when administering vaccines [Effective March 17, 2021]
  • Florida SB 768: Authorizes pharmacists to administer all vaccines licensed for use in the U.S. or those authorized for emergency use by the FDA (as of April 30, 2021) to adults under a protocol; authorizes pharmacists to administer flu vaccines to individuals 7 years of age and older under a protocol [Effective July 1, 2021]
  • Georgia SB 46: Authorizes pharmacists to administer all vaccines on the ACIP adult immunization schedules to individuals 18 and older [Effective May 10, 2021]
  • Illinois SB 2017: Authorizes pharmacists to administer vaccines to individuals 7 years old and older via prescription or standing order that are listed on the CDC Recommended Immunization Schedule, CDC’s Health Information for International Travel, or FDA Vaccines Licensed and Authorized for Use in the United States [Effective June 17, 2021]
  • Indiana HB 1468: Authorizes pharmacists and technicians to administer immunizations for coronavirus and allows registered nurses to supervise pharmacist interns or student pharmacists when administering immunizations. [Effective April 29, 2021]
  • Iowa SF 296: Authorizes pharmacists to order and administer COVID-19 vaccines to individuals 18 years of age and older via statewide protocol [Effective July 1, 2021]
  • Kansas SB 238: Amends the definition of vaccination protocol to include “and signed” as a technical change
  • Maine LD 4: Amends the requirements for a vaccine protocol to remove the mandate to submit the protocol and any subsequent revisions to the board of pharmacy, instead requiring the protocol to be made available to the board upon request [Effective June 21, 2021]
  • Maryland HB 1040 / SB 736: From July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2023, authorizes pharmacists to administer vaccines to individuals age 3-18 that are approved by the FDA and are ordered/administered in accordance with CDC ACIP immunization schedules [Effective July 1, 2021]
  • North Carolina HB 196: Instructs the State Health Director to amend, reissue, or replace any existing statewide standing order to ensure the order is consistent with federal law and guidance (including PREP Act authority) regarding qualified individuals (pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy technicians) who may administer a COVID-19 vaccine [Effective March 11, 2021]
  • North Dakota SB 2279: Permits board of pharmacy to adopt rules allowing pharmacy technicians to administer drugs under the direct supervision of a pharmacist [Effective March 25, 2021; awaiting board rules]
  • Ohio HB 6: Authorizes pharmacists to administer any vaccine to individuals 13 and older and both influenza and COVID-19 vaccines to individuals age 7-13 without a prescription [Effective May 14, 2021]
  • Oklahoma SB 398: Authorizes pharmacists to administer any FDA approved or authorized vaccine without a prescription, standing order, or similar arrangement [Effective April 22, 2021]
  • Virginia HB 2079: Authorizes pharmacists to independently prescribe and administer (via statewide protocol) vaccines included on a CDC Immunization Schedule or that have an FDA emergency use authorization to persons 18 years of age or older [Effective July 1, 2021]
  • Wisconsin AB 4: Authorizes pharmacy technicians and student pharmacists (interns) to administer vaccines and other drugs under direct supervision of a health care provider [Effective February 21, 2021]

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