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California State Board of Pharmacy

Intern Pharmacists – (Business and Professions Code section 4114(a)) – AMENDED AND REISSUED

In response to Department Consumer Affairs Waiver 21-139, Order Waiving Restrictions On Healthcare Students Administering COVID-19 Vaccines In Association With State or Local Vaccination Efforts issued April 2, 2021, the Board is extending and amending its waiver issued in January 2021 to provide an alternative route to supervise pharmacy interns solely administering COVID vaccines.    

Supervision of Pharmacist Interns Performing COVID Vaccine-Related Functions in Connection with State, Local, Federal or Institutional Vaccination Efforts

In connection with state, local, federal or institutional vaccination efforts, an intern pharmacist may perform authorized COVID-19 vaccination-related functions, including vaccine administration, at the direction of and under the supervision of a pharmacist, or other California-licensed physician and surgeon, nurse practitioner or physician assistant who are statutorily authorized to order and administer vaccines, supervise the performance of vaccinations, perform such vaccination duties as a part of their statutorily authorized scope of practice, and whose license is in good standing with the respective regulatory board.

Supervision of Pharmacist Interns Solely Administering COVID Vaccines

When solely administering vaccines in a pharmacy or in association with state, local, federal or institutional vaccination efforts, a pharmacist intern may be supervised by a practicing healthcare professional who is experienced in administering intramuscular injections if all of the conditions of DCA Waiver 21-139 are met. The vaccine sponsoring entity at such sites should determine whether other healthcare professionals are experienced in administering intramuscular injections such that they may appropriately supervise pharmacist interns at such sites.

For pharmacy interns operating within the scope of this waiver, the designated vaccination provider organization (i.e., pharmacy, clinic, health department, or other applicable entity) shall maintain a record that identifies the supervising health care professional under whose supervision the intern pharmacist performed vaccination-related functions.  The record must be maintained and readily available for three years following the end of the declared emergency and provided to the Board upon request.

Effective:  April 22, 2021

Expiration:  September 18, 2021