Since health professionals began administering 2 FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines in December 2020, the rollout has encountered several challenges and failed to meet initial targets for total vaccinations provided. The current health workforce has been identified as one possible bottleneck for distributing the vaccine, prompting a general call to authorize as many health care professionals to administer the vaccine as possible.

This Health Affairs blog article reviews recommendations authorizing community health workers, retired professionals, health professions students, pharmacists, dentists, and veterinarians to administer the COVID-19 vaccine.