CONTACT: Frank Fortin
202.223.7189; ffortin@aphanet.org

WASHINGTON, DC -- The American Pharmacists Association today asked the Biden administration to include recently retired pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in its campaign to vaccinate 100 million Americans against COVID-19 during the administration’s first 100 days. The request was made in a joint letter signed by APhA and nine other pharmacy organizations.

Several times during the pandemic, the US Department of Health and Human Services affirmed that pharmacists have the authority during the pandemic to order and administer COVID vaccines and administer pediatric vaccinations across the country. The federal government also gave pharmacy technicians the authority to administer COVID vaccines under the supervision of a pharmacist.

Late last month, the Biden administration expanded the nation’s vaccinating workforce even further by extending vaccination authority to retired physicians and nurses who have held a license in good standing with any state during the last five years. “Every state allows pharmacists to administer vaccinations to patients, and pharmacists are well-trained to undertake this service,” the pharmacy groups said in its letter to the administration. 

Ilisa Bernstein, Senior Vice President of Pharmacy Practice and Government Affairs for APhA, said, “Recently retired pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are ready, willing and able to contribute this effort. They have the training and the experience to help get the job done.”

The organizations cosigning the letter were:
American Pharmacists Association
Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
American Society of Consultant Pharmacists
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists
Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association
National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations
National Association of Chain Drug Stores 
National Community Pharmacists Association