2. a. (1) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this subsection, an optometrist shall be authorized to administer immunizations against coronaviruses and influenza upon certification from the New Jersey State Board of Optometrists that the optometrist has met any training and qualification requirements as are established by the board by rules and regulations adopted pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.).

(2) The New Jersey State Board of Optometrists may certify an optometrist to administer immunizations against a coronavirus or influenza during a public health emergency involving an outbreak or epidemic of a coronavirus or influenza declared pursuant to the “Emergency Health Powers Act,” P.L.2005, c.222 (C. 26:13-1 et seq.), regardless of whether the board has adopted rules and regulations implementing the provisions of P.L.2021, c.101 (C. 45:12-1.1 et al.). The authority to administer immunizations under the provisions of this paragraph shall be limited to administering immunizations against the specific disease for which the public health emergency was declared. All other immunizations shall be subject to the requirements of paragraph (1) of this section.

b. An optometrist shall not administer an immunization against a coronavirus or influenza pursuant to this section to any patient who is younger than 18 years of age.

c. An immunization against a coronavirus or influenza administered to a patient by an optometrist under this section shall be reported by the optometrist to the New Jersey Immunization Information System established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2004, c.138 (C. 26:4-134) for inclusion in the patient’s registry.

L.2021, c.101, s.2.