680-X-2-.03ER Temporary Technician Vaccination Authorization

(1) The Board of Pharmacy authorizes registered technicians in the State of Alabama, in good standing, acting under the direct supervision of an Alabama licensed pharmacist to administer FDA-authorized or FDA-licensed COVID-19 vaccines to persons ages three (3) or older and to administer FDA-authorized or FDA-licensed ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice) recommended vaccines to persons ages three (3) through eighteen (18) according to ACIP's standard immunization schedule, if the requirements listed below are satisfied:

a. The vaccine must be ordered by an Alabama licensed pharmacist;

b. The Alabama licensed pharmacist must be readily and immediately available to the immunizing registered pharmacy technician;

c. The vaccine must be FDA-authorized or FDA-licensed;

d. In the case of a COVID-19 vaccine, the vaccination must be ordered and administered according to ACIP's COVID-19 recommendation(s);

e. In the case of a childhood vaccine, the vaccination must be ordered and administered according ACIP's standard immunization schedule;

f. The registered technician must have a current certificate in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation;

g. The registered pharmacy technician must complete a minimum two (2) hours of ACPE-approved, immunization-related education program to include hands-on injection techniques and identification, recognition, and treatment of emergency reactions to vaccines;

h. The Alabama licensed pharmacist must comply with record keeping and reporting requirements;

i. The Alabama licensed pharmacist is responsible for complying with requirements related to reporting adverse events;

j. The Alabama licensed pharmacist must review the vaccine registry or other vaccination records prior to ordering the vaccination to be administered by the registered technician:

k. The patient or guardian, if the patient is eighteen (18) years of age or younger, must receive information about the vaccine provided, including potential side effects, methods to manage the side effects, when to contact a health professional, and informed of the importance of a well-child visit with a pediatrician or other licensed primary care provider; 1. The directly supervising Alabama licensed pharmacist must comply with any applicable requirements (or conditions of use) as set forth in the CDCs COVID-19 vaccination provider agreement and any other federal requirements that apply to the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine(s).

(2) The registered technician shall submit to the Board of Pharmacy documentation of the satisfactory completion of the requirements of (1)(g)within 10 days of completion.

(3) For each submission of the documentation referenced in paragraph 2 above, the Secretary of the Board shall issue to the registered technician a certificate for immunization authority, which shall be displayed in a conspicuous place.

(4) The supervising pharmacist shall ensure prior to any registered technicians providing immunizations completion of the immunization training set out above and is acting in compliance with all requirements of the rule.

(5) This rule shall be in effect for the period of time during which the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is designated at the level of the federal government as a public health emergency, or the replacement of this policy by a subsequent federal policy, or for the length allowed for Alabama emergency rules, whichever comes first.

Author: Donna C. Yeatman, R.Ph. Executive Secretary

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-23-92.

History: Emergency Rule January 20. 2021; Effective until end of COVID state of emergency