A bill is under consideration in the NC General Assembly that would give pharmacists broad authority to offer almost any immunization in the retail setting. As written, pharmacists would be able to administer any vaccine to someone over 14 (with parental consent required for adolescents 7-14).

• Link to Senate Bill 246
• Link to House Bill 444

The NCAFP, the N.C. Pediatric Society and the N.C. Medical Society all have major concerns with the bill as written, believing that it would further fragment care, undermine the medical home, and could undermine patient safety. An additional concern is the missed opportunities to address many other adolescent issues (risky behaviors, development screens, etc.) if those patients do not come to their medical home to receive immunizations. Representatives of the House of Medicine have already expressed concerns to the bill's sponsors.

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