Illinois Medical Licensing and Authorization to Administer COVID-19 Vaccines

 Posted on May 13, 2021 in Medical License Defense

For more than a year, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused interruptions to many people’s daily lives and activities. Fortunately, an end to this situation is in sight as vaccines are administered to people throughout the United States. To ensure that as many people can be vaccinated as quickly as possible, officials are taking an “all hands on deck” approach, and multiple different types of medical professionals have been authorized to administer these vaccines. To avoid any issues that could affect a person’s medical license, it is important to understand what steps should be followed to obtain authorization to administer vaccines, and medical professionals will want to make sure they are following the correct procedures at all times.

Who Can Administer COVID-19 Vaccines in Illinois?

Governor J.B. Pritzker has declared a public health emergency in the state of Illinois and issued emergency orders to allow certain types of licensed professionals to administer COVID-19 vaccines. Those who are allowed to administer vaccines include:

• Licensed medical professionals - These include physicians, registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with full practice authority, as well as APRNs and physician assistants who have a collaborative agreement with a licensed physician.
• Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians - Pharmacists must have completed a training course authorized by the Accreditation Council on Pharmacy Education (ACPE). Pharmacy techs must have completed an ACPE-approved practical training program, and they must work under the supervision of a pharmacist. Pharmacists and pharmacy techs must complete at least two hours of immunization-related continuing pharmacy education, and they must also be certified in CPR.
• Medical students - Medical residents can receive a temporary license allowing them to administer vaccines, and medical students who are enrolled in a medical college or who have recently graduated can administer vaccines under the direct supervision of a physician who is a faculty member of a medical college. Nursing students can administer vaccines if they are enrolled in a pre-licensure nursing program approved by the state of Illinois and are under the supervision of a qualified faculty member or a registered nurse preceptor. Physician assistant students who are enrolled in a pre-licensure program can administer vaccines while practicing under this program, and recent graduates who have not yet been licensed can administer vaccines under the supervision of a licensed physician assistant.
• Dentists - A dentist’s scope of practice may be expanded to administer vaccines if they complete a four-hour practical training program and are certified in CPR.
• Optometrists and veterinarians - These providers’ scope of practice may be expanded to administer vaccines if they complete a four-hour practical training program, have documentation of observation by a healthcare professional confirming their competency in administering injections, and are certified in CPR.
• Unlicensed persons - Within the setting of a medical office or practice, and as part of an established doctor-patient relationship, a physician can delegate vaccination tasks to people who are not licensed in Illinois as healthcare professionals, as long as the person has the appropriate experience and training.

Contact an Illinois Medical Licensing Attorney

If you have questions about how administering COVID-19 vaccines will affect your medical license, or if you are facing any issues related to license renewal or disciplinary action, The Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, Inc. can provide the legal help you need. Contact our Illinois medical license defense lawyer today at 630-310-1267 to schedule your complimentary consultation.

Sources:

https://www.idfpr.com/Forms/COVID19/2021%2003%2001%20IDFPR%20FAQs%20COVID%20Vax%20PowerPoint.pdf

https://www.idfpr.com/Forms/COVID19/2021%2003%2024%20Optmy%20Procl%20scope%20expansion%20for%20vax.pdf

https://www.idfpr.com/Forms/COVID19/2021%2003%2025%20Vets%20Procl%20scope%20expansion%20for%20vax.pdf