On Monday, the Minnesota Senate passed legislation allowing dentists to administer the flu and the COVID vaccine to patients with vaccine training.  The legislation chief-authored by Senator Rich Draheim (R-Madison Lake) gives Minnesota additional flexibility with its vaccination plan, particularly in rural communities.

“As the COVID vaccine becomes more readily available, we want to ensure that Minnesota has the flexibility to administer the vaccine quickly in communities across the state,” said Senator Draheim. “Our state’s rollout has been rocky to date. As we look to improve, one way to add flexibility is to add administers that we already have trusted as partners in delivering other vaccines.”

Current law allows for trained dentists to administer the flu vaccine to patients nineteen years old and over.  This bill enables dentists to administer the flu and the COVID vaccine to patients sixteen years old and over with vaccine training. 

Although currently there is a lack of available COVID vaccine in Minnesota, adding dentists to those able to administer the vaccine will increase accessibility as more vaccine becomes available. The CDC has recommended training more healthcare professionals to give the COVID vaccine to prepare for mass vaccinations.  According to the American Dental Association, twenty states currently allow dentists to administer the COVID vaccine.  Other states are also considering legislation to allow dentists to administer the COVID vaccine.