General Vaccine Information

Pharmacists & Technicians as Immunizers

Under the PREP Act, pharmacists are able to order, prescribe, dispense, and administer COVID-19 vaccinations to eligible patients. Additionally, trained pharmacy interns and technicians are able to administer the vaccines under supervision of the pharmacist. Eligible pharmacy personnel are also able to immunize children aged 3 years and up, in an effort to maintain childhood vaccine rates that may otherwise be depleted due to changes in healthcare access. 

For technicians to administer vaccines, they must complete the proper continuing education program. For more information on pharmacy’s role as immunizers: http://www.ncbop.org/COVID19Vaccination.html

COVID-19 Training Modules -Required Per Regulations and Protocols

Per the CDC, “Training is important not only for those who will prepare and administer vaccines, but also for those responsible for other critical, mandatory functions, including protecting the vaccine cold chain, inputting required data, and ensuring vaccine recipients receive documentation of vaccination.”

Registering to become a COVID-19 immunizer: https://www.phe.gov/emergency/events/COVID19/COVIDvaccinators/Pages/default.aspx

Training modules: https://www2.cdc.gov/vaccines/ed/covid19/

North Carolina Immunization Registry (NCIR)

Immunizing pharmacists are required to complete NCIR training. Although COVID-19 vaccinations do not need to be uploaded into NCIR, pharmacists must ensure this training is finished. Access to the training can be found at the following link: https://www.immunize.nc.gov/providers/ncireducation.htm. This training allows pharmacists to stay up to date on best practices and available resources. 

North Carolina Identity (NCID) Service

An NCID is required for authorized immunizers to access CVMS and NCIR. If unsure about how to register for an NCID, training can be found at the following link: https://www.immunize.nc.gov/providers/ncireducation.htm. A User Guide manual is also available and can be found at: https://it.nc.gov/documents/ncid-user-guide.

 

Eligibility Phases in NC

Currently, patients are divided into one of five groups in order to determine their eligibility to receive the vaccine. As of April 7, 2021, all groups are eligible to receive the vaccine in North Carolina.


 

Who Should Get Vaccinated?

Populations that can be Considered:

  • Those who are at least 16 years of age (Pfizer) or at least 18 years of age (Moderna, Johnson & Johnson)
  • Those with a prior COVID-19 infection (viral/serological testing is not required prior to vaccination)
  • Immunocompromised patients with autoimmune disorders, that have no contraindications, and have been counseled on the unknown safety/efficacy of the vaccine within their population

Populations Not to be Vaccinated:

  • Those with an active COVID-19 infection (including patients who have already received the first dose and are waiting for the second)
  • Those who have had any other vaccine within the past 14 days
  • Patients with a history of severe anaphylaxis to any component of the vaccines
  • Any other patient population in which the vaccines are contraindicated

Pregnant/Breastfeeding Patients:

  • While studies are currently underway, there is no current data on the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant patients. Pregnant patients may choose to be vaccinated, however it is strongly encouraged they first discuss the risks with their health care provider.
  • mRNA vaccines are not suspected to be a risk to breastfeeding infants or the mother. However, there is no current data on the vaccines’ effects on the mother or child, and breastfeeding patients should be highly encouraged to speak with their health care provider first.

For more information on special populations: http://www.ncbop.org/PDF/COVID19VaccineNCPharmacyProtocol122720.pdf

Legal and Regulatory Frameworks

The COVID-19 Vaccine Management System (CVMS) is a cloud-based system that allows vaccine data management and sharing between providers, hospitals, and agencies, along with local, state, and federal governments. Pharmacies not enrolled with a federal pharmacy partner will need to complete CVMS provider enrollment.

For more information on CVMS, visit the following link: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines/providers/covid-19-vaccine-management-system-cvms

The following link provides information regarding User Guides, Recorded Trainings, and Upcoming Trainings in CVMS: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines/providers/cvms-user-guides-and-recorded-trainings#user-guides

(covid19.ncdhhs.gov)
https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines/providers/cvms-user-guides-and-recorded-trainings#user-guides