Pharmacists are a key partner in building a strong health infrastructure. The Executive Budget proposed to authorize pharmacists to administer vaccine’s approved by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Expanding access will assist countless New Yorkers and remove barriers to vaccinations. Unfortunately, the Assembly has removed this proposal from their one house budget. The Senate proposal does include language to allow pharmacists to vaccinate – albeit not the same as the Executive proposal.
Allowing pharmacists to vaccinate is a critical policy as more than 90% of the nation’s population live within two miles of a community pharmacy and over 95% live within five miles. Pharmacies traditionally have longer hours of operation making them more accessible for many to obtain vaccination services.
Several partners signed on to letters in support of this proposal that ACS CAN sent to both leaders of the Assembly and Senate to urge restoration of this language in the final budget. Expanding access will assist countless New Yorkers and remove barriers to vaccinations.