HHS releases details on change to permit retired and inactive clinicians to administer COVID-19 vaccines

The Department of Health and Human Services yesterday amended its declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act to permit physicians, registered nurses and practical nurses whose license or certification has expired in the past five years to prescribe, dispense and/or administer COVID-19 vaccines in any state or U.S. territory.

To participate, they must be active and in good standing before their license or certification expired.

The amended declaration also authorizes any health care provider currently licensed or certified and in good standing to prescribe, dispense and/or administer COVID-19 vaccines in any state or U.S. territory. All providers authorized under the amended declaration must complete Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 Vaccine Training. Providers who are not currently practicing or whose license or certification expired also must complete an on-site observation period.

For more information, see the press release FAQs. White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients announced the planned change at a briefing this week.