Source: State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) planned for the Federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19, declared under Section 319 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, to expire at the end of the day on May 11 (effectively May 12).
The State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy (SOBP) has updated its COVID-19 guidance to reflect the waivers that expired because of the expiration of the PHE.
With the end of the Federal PHE, following is a summary of the changes under the PREP Act that impact pharmacists, interns, and technicians in Ohio effective May 12:
- Extending coverage for COVID-19 vaccines, seasonal influenza vaccines, and COVID-19 tests. PREP Act immunity from liability will be extended through December 2024 to pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy technicians to administer COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccines (to those individuals three and over, consistent with other requirements), and COVID-19 tests, regardless of any USG agreement or emergency declaration.
- Ending of coverage for routine childhood vaccinations. Now that there is no emergency in effect, PREP Act coverage no longer extends to all routine childhood vaccinations by pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy technicians.
- Administration of COVID-19 Vaccines during the COVID-19 Pandemic (Pharmacists and Interns)
- Pharmacy Technician Administration of Vaccines during the COVID-19 Pandemic (Registered/Certified Technicians)
The SOBP also removed guidance from its website related to the administration of childhood vaccines by pharmacists and pharmacy interns under the PREP Act. Pharmacists and pharmacy interns may still administer childhood vaccines under the applicable provisions of Ohio law. For more information, please visit the SOBP website.