New law allows access to more vaccines

A new law was passed Wednesday, July1 enabling Floridians to have access to more vaccines at local pharmacies. House Bill 279 provides eligibility to interns, Floridians and anyone else impacted under the new law. Although pharmacist interns have to be certified, the law allows interns to administer vaccinations under the supervision of a pharmacist. Also, they have coursework to complete as well. Floridians can access a variety of new vaccines at their local pharmacies without having to make a trip to the doctor. They no longer will have to wait to make appointments and other arrangements for an appointment to the doctor and can go to the pharmacy instead. Local pharmacies already provide vaccinations for flu, influenza and shingles. Some of the vaccines are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, DTAP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, also known as whooping cough), MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), meningococcal, pneumococcal and varicella. By the new law being implemented, there are advantages from every angle for Floridians and enables them to live a healthier life. The law passed in the House with a 112-2 vote and in the Senate with a 39-0 vote.