To amend regulations to authorize pharmacy technicians to administer all vaccinations under the supervision of a pharmacist

Pharmacy technicians are allowed to administer COVID-19 vaccinations because of legislation passed by the General Assembly authorizing administration by certain \"non-traditional” vaccinators. It is likely the amendment requested will necessitate a permanent change in the Code in Virginia, specifically in § 54.1-3408, which allows prescribers to authorize pharmacists and nurses to administer adult vaccines under a protocol. There is no mention of authorization for pharmacy technicians.

Pursuant to legislation passed in the 2021 Special Session of the General Assembly, a workgroup is meeting on September 24^th to discuss possible of expansion of duties for pharmacy technicians. The petition will be included in the agenda for the workgroup.

 In accordance with Virginia law, the petition has been filed with the Register of Regulations and will be published on September 27, 2021.  Comment on the petition may be sent by email, regular mail or posted on the Virginia Regulatory Townhall at www.townhall.virginia.gov; comment will be requested until October 27, 2021.

 If the Board does not have statutory authority to amend its regulations in accordance with your petition, it will decide whether it would support a change in the Code of Virginia.  This matter will be on the Board\'s agenda for its next meeting following the close of comment, scheduled for December 7, 2021.

It has been determined that the requested amendment will necessitate a change in the Code of Virginia, specifically in § 54.1-3408, which currently allows prescribers to authorize pharmacists and nurses to administer adult vaccines under a protocol. There is no mention of authorization for pharmacy technicians.

The workgroup established pursuant to legislation passed in the 2020 Session of the General Assembly to consider additional duties for pharmacy technicians has recommended such a change in the law. Accordingly, the Board does not have authority to initiate rulemaking based on the petition until there is an amendment to the Code of Virginia.