Tallahassee, Fla. – Pharmacy Choice & Access Now (PCAN), a nationwide coalition of consumers, local business and pharmacists today applauds the Florida House of Representatives and House bill sponsor Representative Ana Rivas Logan (R-Miami) for passing the Vaccine Access Act (HB 509/SB 850), a bill that will allow qualified pharmacists to administer the shingles and pneumonia vaccine in addition to influenza vaccines to adults in Florida. The House approved the Act 118-0.

“This vote puts us one step closer to improving Floridians access to critical vaccines,” said Bill Mincy, BPharm, Vice President of Business Development of PPSC, and the National Board Chair of PCAN, a coalition working to preserve quality and affordable health care and pharmacy services for patients. “The Vaccine Access Act is commonsense policy that will help make our state a healthier place. Pharmacists are a highly-trained and trusted healthcare provider that will play a vital role in increasing vaccination rates.”

Although many other states have expanded the reach of vaccinations by allowing pharmacists to administer multiple types of critical vaccines, Florida statutes currently only permit the influenza vaccine to be administered by qualified and certified Florida pharmacists. Forty-five states allow qualified pharmacists to administer the pneumonia vaccine and 46 states allow pharmacists to administer Zostavax for shingles with a prescription.

“In the five years since qualified Florida pharmacists have been authorized to administer influenza immunizations, the program has been a definite success,” said Michael Jackson, executive vice president and CEO of the Florida Pharmacy Association and member of PCAN. “Not one adverse incident has been reported as a result of pharmacists immunizing patients. We want to be able to continue this proven track record with these additional vaccinations and support patient accessibility to vital disease prevention programs.”

Quotes from Prestigious Medical Doctors in Support of the Vaccine Access Act:

“Florida will be one of the last states to allow highly-trained pharmacists to administer these vaccines, but it is better late than never. Many Floridians, especially in poor or rural areas, have limited access to doctor’s offices and clinics. Passing this legislation will have a significant impact, assuredly saving lives and reducing rates of infection.” - Dr. Pedro Greer Jr., MD, FACP, FACG, Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient & Professor of Medicine Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine

“As a past president of the American Geriatrics Society, I can tell you that we need to more protection for our seniors. Primary prevention through immunization is the most cost-effective care available. All professional medical organizations support immunizations of older persons, and the CDC recommends expanding access to them through provision by a wide variety of trained health care providers. This is such an important issue that we must not let turf battles negatively impact the health and wellbeing of our senior Floridians.” - Kenneth Brummel-Smith, MD, ABFP, AGSF, Charlotte Edwards Maguire Professor & Chair, Department of Geriatrics Florida State University College of Medicine

For more information visit www.vaccineaccess.com.

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About Pharmacy Choice and Access Now Coalition:

Pharmacy Choice and Access Now (PCAN) is a coalition of consumers, local business and pharmacists across the nation committed to preserving quality and affordable health care and pharmacy services for patients. We are committed to providing the most cost-effective solutions in the areas of health care and pharmacy services to enable states around the country to help solve their budget woes while maintaining quality care for children, families and other Medicaid-served populations. For more information on Pharmacy Choice and Access Now (PCAN), visit www.rxchoiceandaccess.com.

About PPSC:

PPSC’s mission is to provide the highest quality pharmacy services by incorporating strategic alliances that allow PPSC to meet or exceed the unique needs of our customers. PPSC is dedicated to the success of more than 50,000 pharmacies it serves and is exceptionally qualified to assist your pharmacy in all areas of growth and profitability. For more information on PPSC, please visit www.ppsconline.com.

About Florida Pharmacy Association:

Florida Pharmacy Association is the professional society representing Florida pharmacists, united to improve public health and patient care, enhance professional development and advocate for the interest of the profession and the patients that we serve. For more information on the Florida Pharmacy Association visit www.pharmview.com.