As the most accessible health care providers, Texas pharmacists were on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Following are resources to help pharmacists continue to care for patients.

 

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COVID-19 Immunization Resources

Pharmacists are key to administering COVID-19 vaccines in Texas. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) authorized pharmacists to order and administer, as well as pharmacy technicians and interns to administer, COVID-19 vaccines to persons ages 3 or older under the 11th Amendment to the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act.

Enrollment/Registration as a Texas Vaccine Provider

• Register for the ImmTrac2 Registry or for the Texas Vaccines for Children (TVFC) Program

Vaccine Information for Providers

• CDC: Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Authorized in the United States
• CDC: Interim Considerations: Preparing for the Potential Management of Anaphylaxis after COVID-19 Vaccination
• ACIP: COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
• View CDC Immunization Schedules

Vaccine Tools

• ImmTrac2: the Texas Immunization Registry
  
• VAERS: Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System
  
• Vaccine Finder
  

Billing/Reimbursement

Beginning January 1, 2024, Medicare pays approximately $38 for administering COVID-19 vaccines in the home for certain Medicare patients in addition to the standard administration amount (approximately $40 per COVID-19 vaccine dose) for a total payment of approximately $78.

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Guidance from Government Agencies

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)

Information about the COVID-19 disease, vaccines, medications, and Texas data, as well as information and resources for providers and partners.

• Read more from DSHS
  

 

Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP)

The Texas State Board of Pharmacy has published resources for pharmacy professionals related to COVID-19.

• Read more from TSBP.

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a wealth of information about what you should know related to COVID-19 including symptoms, testing, and treatments and medications.

• Read more from the CDC.
  

COVID-19 Information for Healthcare Workers

• Read up-to-date COVID-19 vaccine information from the CDC.

COVID-19 Variants

• Data Tracker: Summary of Variant Surveillance

 

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has information about COVID-19 testing, vaccines, and more.

• Read more from the FDA.
  

CLIA-Waived Testing

• FAQs on Testing for SARS-CoV-2
• List of FDA-approved tests for COVID-19
• CLIA Application for Certification (from CMS)
  
• How to obtain a waiver and common questions

 

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has helpful information regarding COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, treatments and therapeutics, tests, resources for those without insurance, and other related news.

• Read more from HHS.
  

HHS authorized pharmacists to order and administer, as well as pharmacy technicians and interns to administer, COVID-19 vaccines to persons ages 3 or older through December 31, 2024.

• Read the 11th Amendment to the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act.
  

HHS Advisory Opinion Concludes Federal Law Permits Pharmacists to Order, Administer COVID-19 Tests

• Read the advisory opinion from HHS.
  

HHS Statements on Authorizing Licensed Pharmacists to Order and Administer COVID-19 Tests

• Read the guidance from HHS.

 

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Guidance from National Pharmacy Organizations

Major national pharmacy associations have published their own guides for COVID-19.

• American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
• American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
• National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)