New York Pharmacists Can Now Give Flu Shots

New York now becomes the 49th state to allow pharmacists to administer flu and pneumonia shots. Governor David Paterson of New York, signed the legislation last week hoping the convenience of more locations will increase the number of adults throughout the state, who will benefit from the flu vaccines. Pharmacists in New York will be able to begin administering flu shots beginning December 4th.

The flu can be dangerous for anyone, but is especially dangerous for those suffering from diabetes or other chronic health problems. Even though flu shots are not 100 percent effective, from preventing the flu, they do seem to make it more difficult for anyone who receives the vaccine to contract the flu within 6 months of receiving the shot. Diabetes sufferers need to get a flu shot annually. Flu shots take a couple weeks before they are really effective and it is best to have anyone that you are in close contact with also get a flu shot. The beginning of September is the best time to receive a flu shot. Only get a flu shot if you are healthy and free of any respiratory illness or cold.

Now, once New York pharmacists complete state training and become certified they will be allowed to give shots to patients who have a prescription from a doctor or nurse practitioner. Pharmacists can pay $100 for a three-year certification. Data from the state education department showed 16,219 pharmacists with a primary mailing address in New York, who can now benefit from this new law.

Because pharmacists see patients who have chromic conditions, usually on a regular basis, they are in the perfect position to reach out and protect them from the possible deadly flu or pneumonia. The states who have already been allowing pharmacists to administer flu shots have reportedly seen high rates of influenza vaccines. Flu vaccine rates increased for those over age 65 in states who allowed pharmacist to administer the shot by triple. While those states that have not adopted the law to allow pharmacist to administer the shot, only increased 3.5 percent.

Adults all across the U.S. are at greater risk for vaccine preventable deaths. 200,000 patients are hospitalized annually from influenza and about 36,000 die, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report. All of these could have possibly been avoided with a simple flu shot.

The world today has become so busy and accustomed to quick and easy services, such as fast food, drive through pharmacies, pick up and drop off dry cleaning and even the ability to order you prescription drugs to your door step. It seems Americans are all about convenience. With almost all of the U.S. adopting the new phase of pharmacists offering the new service of giving flu shots, this adds another convenience to our lives. With prescription in hand, you can now drive up to you neighborhood pharmacist and receive a flu shot and be on your way.