                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

HOSPITAL STANDING ORDERS OR PROTOCOLS FOR CERTAIN VACCINATIONS (§ 32.1-126.4)

A. A hospital may provide or arrange for the administration under a standing
order or protocol approved by a member or committee of the hospital&#8217;s
medical staff of (i) influenza vaccinations and (ii) pneumococcal vaccinations,
thus waiving the requirement for specific written physician orders for influenza
and pneumococcal immunizations. However, no such standing order or protocol
shall supersede a physician&#8217;s authority to issue specific written orders
relating to immunizations.

B. Any standing order or protocol authorized by this section shall require that
the vaccinations be administered in accordance with the most recent
recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after (i) ascertaining that the
vaccination is not medically contraindicated for the patient, (ii) determining
the patient&#8217;s wishes and any religious objections, and (iii) obtaining
informed consent from the patient or his legal representative.

C. Vaccinations administered under a standing order or protocol shall be
documented in the patient&#8217;s health record.

HISTORY: 2006, c. 432.