In August, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a third amendment to the Declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) to “increase access to lifesaving childhood vaccines and decrease the risk of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks as children across the United States return to daycare, preschool, and school.”
The amendment authorizes state-licensed pharmacists to order and administer vaccines to individuals ages 3 through 18 years, subject to several requirements. Additionally, it permits pharmacy interns, acting under a pharmacist’s supervision, to administer vaccines in accordance with the provisions of the amendment.
Additionally, HHS also released guidance authorizing the administration of COVID-19 vaccines under the PREP Act. This guidance authorizes state-licensed pharmacists to order and administer, and state-licensed or registered pharmacy interns acting under the supervision of the qualified pharmacist to administer, COVID-19 vaccinations to persons ages 3 or older, subject to certain requirements.