Virginia Board of Pharmacy
Dear Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, and Pharmacy Interns:
During its meeting on September 30, 2025, the Virginia Board of Pharmacy voted to amend the vaccine statewide protocol for persons eighteen years of age or older. The amended statewide protocol became effective as of October 1, 2025. As such, pharmacists, or a pharmacy technician or pharmacy intern under the supervision of the pharmacist may now administer the COVID-19 vaccine to persons 18 years of age or older in accordance with the directions for use in adults of a manufacturer's product approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") or the Immunization Schedule published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC"). All other vaccines must be administered in accordance with the Immunization Schedule published by the CDC.
Please note that the Board’s action does not impact the Health Commissioner’s standing order for pharmacists or pharmacy interns under the supervision of a pharmacist to administer the COVID-19 vaccine which was issued on September 10, 2025. Either the Board’s protocol or the Health Commissioner’s standing order may be used, and one may work better than the other for billing purposes. The legal authority for each order is addressed in two separate laws. The law associated with the Health Commissioner’s standing order does not allow administration by pharmacy technicians; however, the law associated with the Board’s statewide protocols does include such an allowance. Links are provided here to view the Board’s amended statewide protocol and the Health Commissioner’s standing order or they may be accessed on the Board’s homepage under Featured News at https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Pharmacy/.
Thank you for being a vital member of Virginia’s healthcare team.
Virginia Board of Pharmacy
pharmbd@dhp.virginia.gov
