New York pharmacists who complete state training and certification will be permitted to give flu and pneumonia shots, with a prescription from a physician or nurse practitioner starting December 4. Gov. David A. Paterson hopes the measure will increase the number of adults benefiting from the vaccine in the state.

“Allowing pharmacists to immunize would increase access to vaccinations, as pharmacies are open long hours, on weekends and most holidays,” said Senator Charles J. Fuschillo Jr., a Long Island Republican who sponsored the bill.

Studies showed great improvement in adult immunization rates for annual flu shots after such measures. New York City health experts said the change could increase the number of elderly residents who get the vaccine by at least 50,000.

State Education Department data showed 20,303 state-licensed pharmacists at the start of 2008, with 16,219 listing primary mailing addresses in New York, the Associated Press noted. The price for a three-year certification will be $100.

48 other states already allow pharmacists to administer flu and pneumonia vaccines.

Gov. A. Peterson announced that he had signed other bills, including consumer measures that would require stores to remove recalled and defective toys and juvenile products such as cribs from their shelves within 24 hours of receiving recall notices, clarify the definition of wine in state law to include beverages produced with fruits and plants other than grapes, require hotels that furnish drinking glasses, silverware or flatware in individual rooms to ensure that they are fully sanitized according to State Health Department standards.