SLS 202ES-211 ENGROSSED
2020 Second Extraordinary Session
SENATE BILL NO. 51
BY SENATOR BARROW
PHARMACISTS. Provides for immunizations, including the COVID-19 vaccine, to be
administered by pharmacists. (See Act) (Item #40)
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact the introductory paragraph of R.S. 37:1218 and the introductory
3 paragraph of 1218.1(A) and to repeal R.S. 37:1218(A)(5) and 1218.1(A)(4), relative
4 to the administration of immunizations and vaccines by pharmacists; to provide for
5 the administration of influenza immunizations; to provide for the administration of
6 other immunizations and vaccines including the COVID-19 vaccine; to repeal the
7 credentialing requirement; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related
8 matters.
9 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
10 Section 1. The introductory paragraph of R.S. 37:1218 and the introductory
11 paragraph of 1218.1(A) are hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
12 §1218. Administration of influenza immunization
13 A pharmacist may administer an influenza immunization to any person seven
14 three years of age or older without a prescription or medical order contingent upon
15 all of the following provisions:
16 * * *
17 §1218.1. Administration of immunizations and vaccines other than influenza
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 51
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1 immunizations
2 A pharmacist may administer to an individual age seventeen three or older
3 an immunization or a vaccine, including but not limited to a COVID-19 vaccine
4 when available, without a patient-specific prescription or medical order if the
5 immunization or the vaccine is administered in conformance with the most current
6 immunization administration protocol as set forth by the United States Centers for
7 Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice, is
8 consistent with United States Food and Drug Administration approved labeling,
9 or is otherwise authorized by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
10 At the time that a pharmacist administers an immunization or vaccine under the
11 provisions of this Section, the pharmacist shall also inform the individual that the
12 administration of an immunization or vaccine under this Section is not to be
13 construed as being in lieu of an annual checkup with the individual's primary care
14 or family physician.
15 * * *
16 Section 2. R.S. 37:1218(A)(5) and 1218.1(A)(4) are hereby repealed.
17 Section 3. The provisions of Section 1 of this Act shall terminate on August 1, 2022.
18 Section 4. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
19 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
20 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
21 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
22 effective on the day following such approval.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Brandi Cannon.
DIGEST
SB 51 Engrossed 2020 Second Extraordinary Session Barrow
Present law provides a pharmacist may administer an influenza immunization to any person
seven years of age or older without a prescription or medical order if certain criteria are met.
Proposed law retains present law but lowers the threshold age to three years. Proposed law
terminates on August 1, 2022.
Present law provides that a pharmacist may administer to an individual age 17 or older an
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 51
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immunization or a vaccine without a patient-specific prescription or medical order if the
immunization or the vaccine is administered in conformance with the most current
immunization administration protocol as set forth by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice.
Proposed law retains present law but lowers the threshold age to three years and removes the
requirement for a prescription or medical order. Further provides for immunizations and
vaccines to be administered if consistent with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
approved labeling or is otherwise authorized by the FDA. Proposed law terminates on
August 1, 2022.
Present law provides that a pharmacist shall obtain the appropriate credentials to administer
immunizations from the La. Board of Pharmacy prior to administering any immunizations.
Proposed law repeals present law.
Effective See Act.
(Amends R.S. 37:1218(intro para) and 1218.1(A)(intro para); repeals R.S. 37:1218(A)(5)
and 1218.1(A)(4))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Health and Welfare to
the original bill
1. Adds a sunset date for provisions of proposed law which lower the threshold
age to three years.
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.