Pharmacists are trained professionals who dispense prescription medications and counsel patients on the safe and appropriate use of medications. They may also conduct health and wellness screenings, provide immunizations, oversee the ordering of medications and provide advice on healthy lifestyles. Pharmacists can work in pharmacies in a variety of settings, including independent pharmacies, retail clinics, general merchandise stores, grocery stores, hospitals and other health care facilities, among others.
The links on the right lead to maps showing a comparison of all states and territories for the following four policy areas:
1) administration of the COVID-19 vaccine.
2) prescription adaptation.
3) prescription of hormonal contraceptives.
4) prescription of tobacco cessation aids.
Choose a tab to explore different options. For more detailed information, please click on a state or territory.
Pharmacists:
Administration of COVID-19 Vaccine
Mobile users can use this dropdown of states if the map is too small.
LEGEND
- State law allows pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine
- State law does not specifically allow pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine
- Information is not currently available
Pharmacists are authorized to administer vaccines in all 50 states but the type of vaccine and the age of a patient varies by state. Specific to the COVID-19 vaccines, the federal Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act gives the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary authority to issue declarations. One declaration recently authorized allows pharmacists in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to administer COVID-19 vaccines for the duration of the public health emergency. Some states have also authorized pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine through executive order, however, those are not reflected in the map above. The map above indicates the states with laws specifically allowing pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine if and when this specific declaration around the COVID-19 vaccine expires at the end of the public health emergency.
Policy areas for Pharmacists
Administration of COVID-19 Vaccine
Prescription of Hormonal Contraceptives
Prescription of Tobacco Cessation Aids
Practitioner Scope of Practice
- Behavioral Health Providers
- Nurse Practitioners
- Optometrists
- Oral Health Providers
- Pharmacists
- Physician Assistants