HHS expands providers authorized to take part in vaccination efforts

Last week, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) expanded the categories of clinicians authorized to prescribe, dispense and administer COVID-19 vaccines. The change allows any physician, RN or practical nurse whose license or certification expired within the past five years to prescribe, dispense and/or administer COVID-19 vaccines in any state or U.S. territory so long as the license or certification permits such activities and “was active and in good standing prior to the date it went inactive.” Such persons must also complete Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 Vaccine Training and undergo an on-site observation period by a currently practicing health care professional. These changes came in the form of an amendment to the Declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act. (HHS news release, 1/28/21)