Pharmacists Authorized to Administer Flu and Tdap Vaccines to More Youth in Illinois

Aimed to improve health care access for children in Illinois, a new law (SB 3513) will authorize pharmacists to administer influenza and Tdap vaccinations to children age 10 and older with a doctor’s prescription. Signed by Governor Pat Quinn on Tuesday, the new law is effective immediately. Prior to the law, pharmacists were authorized to vaccinate individuals age 14 and older. On August 1, 2012, the Illinois Department of Public Health issued a reminder to parents and health care providers that incoming sixth- and ninth-grade students are now required to receive the Tdap vaccine due to the rise in pertussis across the country. In a press release, Governor Quinn noted that the timing for the new law authorizing more pharmacist vaccinations was important as families are currently preparing students for the new school year.