In 2016, a seemingly shocking idea surfaced out of the state of Idaho: allowing pharmacy technicians to administer vaccinations. Gossip among the profession and on social media spread quickly, with many saying it would be unsafe and arguing that pharmacists should not give up this hard-won responsibility. What started as rumors, however, began to be taken seriously, and word spread at state and national pharmacy meetings. Over the next few years, boards of pharmacy continued to discuss the issue, and in 2019, the topic was presented in a poster at the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy Annual Meeting.1
As word spread, states such as Utah and Rhode Island made changes to their state protocols and rules, and a follow-up publication evaluating the status of state laws and rules on the topic was published. The idea gained popularity and acceptance, but it also gained pushback as some professionals resisted change.2 Various groups were against the idea, shunning the concept for going too far. State agencies and legislators considered the topic but many hesitated. Meanwhile, Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences developed a training program, published safety data, and worked on other studies to help resolve the gap in understanding.2
Then 2020 arrived, and the unthinkable occurred as the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe. The development of a vaccine was expedited as lawmakers, government officials, and state and federal agencies searched for a solution to ensure rapid administration was viable. A few states quickly reconsidered authorizing technicians as administrators, as governors issued executive orders and legislatures began waiving requirements. The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act in March 2020, utilizing the federal ability to enact and expedite allowances.3 In August 2020, an amendment to the PREP Act was created to permit pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines in all 50 states and Washington, DC, by way of immunity from state penalties.3 Efforts to ensure that medical professionals were prepared to handle the upcoming vaccine launch were underway. The country went from having fewer than 10 states recognize pharmacy technicians as immunizers to all 50 states and Washington, DC, nearly overnight.
From that point on, the conversation suddenly shifted. As of this writing, many states have changed laws, rules, or protocols to allow pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines. The same state and national groups that had previously frowned on the idea changed paths and monetized the training, education, and continuing education of technician-administered vaccines. Many of the naysayers even became advocates for technician-administered immunizations.
Amid all these rapid changes, the unsung heroes of the story were and continue to be hardworking pharmacy technicians who served the public daily, even during an unprecedented worldwide pandemic.
The truth is that new ideas—no matter how simple or logical—are usually not quick to be adopted by many.
As follows, you will find a list of evidence-backed truths about technician-administered immunizations as well as common myths that are not backed by evidence or are based on anecdotes or hearsay.
