Governor Issues Emergency Order to Allow Out-of-State Pharmacists to Administer Vaccines

From Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s office, published Dec. 23: Gov. Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-107 on Dec. 23, authorizing out-of-state pharmacists to administer vaccines during the COVID-19 peacetime emergency.

Recognizing that pharmacists are "critical frontline responders," and that "fully utilizing this dedicated workforce is vital to protecting all Minnesotans," the governor's Executive Order notes that some pharmacies are facing shortages of pharmacists and that further shortages are expected due to the volume of COVID-19 vaccinations that must be administered.

Saying that pharmacies and pharmacists will play a critical role in administering COVID-19 vaccines, Gov. Walz added, “To respond quickly during this pandemic, hospitals, pharmacies, and other health care providers need temporary flexibility, including the ability to hire qualified pharmacists from other states, especially those with existing experience in administering vaccines.”

The order became effective on Dec. 23 and will remain in effect until March 23, 2021, or until the peacetime emergency is terminated.

Download the full text of the Executive Order

Note: We shared this story on Dec. 23 on our Facebook and Twitter (@MinnPharmAssoc) accounts. Be sure to follow us for additional updates between our newsletters.
Related: Thousands of long-term care residents and staff start getting vaccinated (published Dec. 28)
Related: Minnesota’s COVID-19 positivity rate is trending downward after November spike (see chart below from Minnesota Department of Health); hospitalization rate also decreasing (accessed Dec. 28)