Dear Pharmacy Professional,
Last week Governor Evers signed a bill expanding COVID-19 vaccine administration eligibility to pharmacy technicians and pharmacy students. Under 2021 Wisconsin Act 3, pharmacy students who have completed two years of pharmacy education can administer vaccine under the supervision of a healthcare provider who is authorized to administer vaccines.
Also, pharmacy employees commonly referred to as pharmacy technicians can administer COVID-19 vaccines under certain conditions, including the following:
- The person has completed at least two hours in a course of study and training, approved by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education or the board, in hands-on injection technique and the recognition and treatment of emergency reactions to vaccines;
- The person acts under the direct supervision of a pharmacist who has completed a course in study on topics relating to vaccination;
- The person holds a current certification in basic life support or cardiopulmonary resuscitation; and
- The person holds a certified pharmacy technician certification from either the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board or the National Healthcareer Association.
Eligible vaccinators under 2021 Wisconsin Act 3 do not have to enroll individually in the state’s COVID-19 vaccinator program if they are working with an enrolled entity.
Governor Evers signed the legislation to help expand the COVID-19 vaccinator pool. “While we work to get shots in arms as soon as we have supply available, we also want to make sure we’re maximizing our capacity by expanding the number of people who can administer those doses once we have them,” Gov. Evers said. “Getting vaccine doses to folks across our state continues to be our top priority so we can recover and bounce back from this pandemic.”
Pharmacists are trusted healthcare providers who practice in communities in every part of our state. The industry is especially well positioned to support vaccination efforts, and this legislation will enable pharmacists, related staff, and pharmacy students to play an even more crucial role in this historic public health effort.
I also want to acknowledge the work of the Pharmacy Examining Board. The board has been extraordinarily proactive throughout the pandemic. They have issued several orders in an effort to anticipate needs and to overcome potential barriers, and their leadership has helped position the state health care system the handle the unique challenges of COVID-19. The board supports this legislation and was prepared to take action on their own if a bill had not made it to the governor’s desk.
For exact parameters and eligibility requirements, please read 2021 Wisconsin Act 3. For all COVID-19 vaccinator program questions and related information, including enrollment instructions, please visit the Department of Health Services vaccinator web page.
Sincerely,
Dawn B. Crim
Secretary-designee
To contact DHS with any general vaccine questions please email DHSCOVIDVACCINEPUBLIC@dhs.wisconsin.gov. If you are a health care provider with clinical or programmatic questions, please email DHSCOVIDVACCINATOR@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
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