Published on Aug 5, 2026
In addition to vaccines that may be administered by pharmacists under existing statewide protocols, many of which must be administered consistent with the current Immunization Schedule published by the CDC, the 2026-2028 State Budget Bill (HB 30) includes an authority to administer an influenza vaccine or COVID-19 vaccine approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to persons three years of age or older in accordance with the manufacturer's directions. The expanded authority in the Budget Bill became effective on July 1, 2026 and is scheduled to expire June 30, 2027. Pharmacists, along with pharmacy interns, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy technician trainees under the supervision of a pharmacist may now legally administer an influenza vaccine or COVID-19 vaccine approved by the FDA per the manufacturer’s directions regardless of whether it is listed on the current CDC Immunization Schedule. Because this is a separate legal authority from the law authorizing the use of statewide protocols, the statewide protocols do not need to be amended prior to administration of such vaccines.
Links to relevant resources:
Virginia Board of Pharmacy
Email: pharmbd@dhp.virginia.gov