STARTING TODAY TN SCHOOLS CAN GIVE ALL FORMS OF EPINEPHRINE FOR ALLERGIES
Tennessee schools have a new option to help respond to life-threatening allergic reactions.
A new state law that took effect Wednesday, July 1, expands existing legislation to allow public and private K-12 schools to stock and administer all physician-prescribed forms of epinephrine, instead of being limited to epinephrine auto-injectors, commonly known as EpiPens.
The change allows schools to keep epinephrine nasal spray on hand alongside traditional auto-injectors.
One of the newest options is neffy, the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved epinephrine nasal spray. In addition to eliminating the need for a needle, the spray has a shelf life of 24 to 30 months, depending on the dosage, compared with about 12 months for most epinephrine auto-injectors. State lawmakers noted the longer shelf life could help reduce replacement costs for schools over time.
Schools may also benefit from a new assistance program. Through the “neffyinSchools Program,” eligible public and private kindergarten through 12th grade schools can receive two two-packs — four total doses — of neffy at no cost. Schools may choose to purchase additional doses based on enrollment or individual campus needs.
According to the Tennessee Department of Education’s 2024-25 School Health Services Annual Report, school nurses routinely respond to allergic reactions and other medical emergencies throughout the school year, underscoring the need for readily available emergency medications in schools.
