Are medical assistants allowed to administer flu shots?
Yes. After receiving the appropriate training as indicated in the first question, medical assistants are allowed to administer influenza vaccinations in a clinic or physician’s office settings. The dosage must be verified and the supervising practitioner must be on the premises as required in section 2069 of the Business and Professions Code, except as provided in subdivision (a) of that section. However, if the shot is being provided at a local governmental or private, nonprofit agency the vaccine shall be administered only by a physician, a registered nurse, or a licensed vocational nurse acting within the scope of their professional practice acts. The physician under whose direction the registered nurse or a licensed vocational nurse is acting shall require the nurse to satisfactorily demonstrate familiarity with (1) contraindication for the administration of such immunizing agents, (2) treatment of possible anaphylactic reactions, and (3) the administration of treatment, and reacti
