At press time, eight states (California, Colorado, Kentucky, New Jersey, Ohio, South Carolina, Utah and Virginia) have authorized their optometrists to administer the COVID-19 vaccines, according to the American Optometric Association (AOA). Additionally, to meet the need for an increased number of COVID-19 vaccinators, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) amended the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act in mid-March to expand the pool of qualified vaccinators to include optometrists when certain requirements are met. Further, it’s worth noting that the PREP Act amendment takes the place of some state laws, though provisions within the amendment leave it up to the individual states, should they seek to require further training from O.D.s to provide the COVID-19 vaccines, reports the AOA.

 

 

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“Enabling optometrists to give the vaccine in Utah could definitely reduce the demand on the health care system here,” explains Ian Whipple, O.D., president-elect of the Utah Optometric Association. “Right now, as an organization, we have developed a formal training meeting and education related to the COVID-19 vaccine for our members, and we’re hoping to implement it during our June convention.”

Michele Donovan, O.D., president of the South Carolina Optometric Physicians Association (SCOPA), says the SCOPA is encouraging its members to complete the related CDC training (see bit.ly/3vyI57o ), and the group is providing refresher courses on intramuscular injections.

“After completing the CDC training, SC doctors of optometry can register with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control to volunteer to administer vaccines in South Carolina,” she explains.

Michael Veliky, O.D., legislative chair of the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians, says several O.D.s in New Jersey have registered to volunteer to give the COVID-19 vaccines and are available to be selected by one of the many designated injection sites.

“I think this health emergency has reinforced that our public health preparedness needs reinforcement and that optometrists can be an integral part of the solution,” he says. OM