CA AB977

Authorizes pharmacists associated with independent community pharmacies to initiate and administer influenza immunizations to persons 18 years or older under standardized protocols approved by the Medical Board of California in consultation with public health officers.

Requires pharmacists to complete the American Pharmacists Association's Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery Certificate Training Program or equivalent before administering immunizations, plus 3 hours of immunization-related continuing education annually.

Mandates pharmacists maintain basic life support certification, provide Vaccine Information Statements to patients, document administration to patients and their physicians, and report immunization records to appropriate registries.

Allows pharmacists to administer epinephrine for severe allergic reactions and establishes requirements for vaccine storage, handling, adverse event reporting, and maintenance of immunization records for 10 years.

Sunsets the provision on January 1, 2015, unless extended by later legislation, and requires the State Board of Pharmacy to evaluate the program and report to the Legislature by January 1, 2014.