Step-by-Step Immunization Program Set-Up Guide for California-based Pharmacy Immunization Programs

Step 1 - Legal & Training

• Legal
• California Business & Professions Code
  
• Verify that your Professional Liability insurance covers extended scope of practice activities (e.g. immunizations)
• Training 
• Vaccination training resources & information include:
• APhA Training Program
• Pink Book (online version)
• EZ-IZ Vaccine Administration Videos
  
• CPR Certification (American Heart Association or Red Cross approved)

Step 2 - Protocol

• Get your protocol signed by a physician licensed to prescribe in California
  
• Sample generic protocol
  
• 2009-2010 Influenza (Seasonal and H1N1) and Pneumococcal Protocol
• Sample Protocol - Flu only including H1N1
  

Step 3 - Preparation

• Get your Hepatitis B vaccine series (takes 4 - 6 months) with a titer 1 month after the last dose demonstrating immunity
• Write your Blood Born Pathogens Exposure Control Plan
  • California OSHA requirements
  • Sample Pharmacy Specific Plan
  • Get Blood Born Pathogens training on an annual basis and keep the training logs
  • Get registered as a small medical waste generator
  • If conducting off site immunization programs where you will be transporting your used sharps container back to your pharmacy, get your Limited Quantity Hauling Exemptions   
• If you plan to bill Medicare, click here for a quick reference guide on Medicare Part B Immunization Billing.  You may also want to view presentations on How to Enroll in Medicare Part B and on Completing a CMS 1500 claim form
• Contract with a biohazardous sharps disposal company
  • CalOSHA fact sheet on engineered sharps

Step 4 - Get Supplies

• Sharps containers (onsite pick up or mail back type)
• Red Bags (optional)
• Syringes/needles (engineered safety syringes)
  • 23-25 ga. 1 in and 1.5 in (IM)
  • 25 ga. 5/8 in (SC)
• Gauze, band aids, alcohol pads
• EpiPen (adult) or 1:1,000 epinephrine solution, diphenhydramine (IM)
• Blood pressure monitor
• Yellow Immunization cards (from Immunization Action Coalition)
• Get yellow cards from your local Department of Health Services

This creation of this toolkit was supported by Cooperative Agreement No. U66/CCU323243-01 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It’s contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC. All forms and documents not available from public internet sites were created by Dr. Jeff Goad in collaboration with CPhA for the purposes of the protocol established within the CDC Cooperative Agreement.