Pharmacy Technician Immunization Requirements

Pharmacy technicians work directly under licensed pharmacists and perform pharmacy functions. This includes providing medications, filling orders and informing patients about pick up and reorders. Because pharmacy technicians work directly with handling medications and dealing with the public, they must adhere to immunization requirements in the field of health care. Pharmacy technicians are required to have immunizations complete before taking on technician duties.

Hepatitis B

• Pharmacy technicians must have a record of receiving a hepatitis B shot every four or six months. Three hepatitis B shots must be completed within this time frame before performing technician duties. Each shot must be recorded in the patient's medical records.

Varicella and Rubeola

• Varicella is commonly known as chicken pox. A pharmacy technician is required to have two varicella immunizations if she has not had the disease in the past. Rubeola is commonly known as measles. Technicians are required to have one dose of the immunization if born before 1956 and two doses if born after 1956.

Tetanus and Tuberculosis

• Tetanus shots are due every 10 years. If the pharmacy technician has received a tetanus shot prior to performing technician duties and within the 10-year period, it must be recorded in his medical records. A tuberculosis reading must also be kept on file before starting pharmacy technician duties.

Seasonal Flu and H1N1

• Due to seasonal flu and H1N1 being a highly contagious virus, persons in any aspect of the medical field including pharmacy technicians are required to be vaccinated for both seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus.