HHS Authorizes Dentists and Dental Students to Administer COVID-19 Vaccines Nationwide
Effective March 11, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued the seventh amendment to the Declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) to authorize dentists and dental students to administer COVID-19 vaccines in all 50 states.
While over half of states already allowed dentists to provide COVID-19 vaccinations, this amendment categorizes licensed dentists and qualified dental students as “qualified persons” to vaccinate regardless of state laws. Additionally, recently retired or nonpracticing dentists who held a license in good standing within the last five years are also eligible to administer vaccines.
Under the PREP Act, a qualified person is a covered person that is immune from suit and liability under federal and state law concerning all claims for loss resulting from administering a covered countermeasure if a declaration under the PREP Act has been issued for the countermeasure. Certain limitations may still apply.
You can find more information as it relates to the general dentist on AGD’s COVID-19 Vaccine Webpage.
Impact on General Dentistry: AGD strongly supports the Administration’s decision to authorize dentists and dental students to administer COVID-19 vaccines if they wish to do so. AGD sent a letter to HHS and the White House COVID-19 Response Team’s Vaccination Coordinator, Dr. Bechara Choucair, in January calling for such authorization.
While over half of states already allowed dentists to provide COVID-19 vaccinations, this amendment categorizes licensed dentists and qualified dental students as “qualified persons” to vaccinate regardless of state laws. Additionally, recently retired or nonpracticing dentists who held a license in good standing within the last five years are also eligible to administer vaccines.
Under the PREP Act, a qualified person is a covered person that is immune from suit and liability under federal and state law concerning all claims for loss resulting from administering a covered countermeasure if a declaration under the PREP Act has been issued for the countermeasure. Certain limitations may still apply.
You can find more information as it relates to the general dentist on AGD’s COVID-19 Vaccine Webpage.
Impact on General Dentistry: AGD strongly supports the Administration’s decision to authorize dentists and dental students to administer COVID-19 vaccines if they wish to do so. AGD sent a letter to HHS and the White House COVID-19 Response Team’s Vaccination Coordinator, Dr. Bechara Choucair, in January calling for such authorization.