Allied healthcare professionals giving COVID-19 vaccines legally

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The different legal mechanisms to give vaccine are described dependent on Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC) registration

Art Therapist registered with HCPC

This group can:

  • work under the National Protocol (stages 2-4)
  • work under a PSD written by an appropriate practitioner

This group cannot:

  • act as clinical supervisor for the National Protocol under Regulation 3A
  • write a Patient Specific Direction (PSD)
  • work under the Patient Group Direction (PGD)

Biomedical Scientist registered with HCPC

This group can:

  • work under the National Protocol (stages 2-4)
  • work under a PSD written by an appropriate practitioner

This group cannot:

  • act as clinical supervisor for the National Protocol under Regulation 3A
  • write a Patient Specific Direction (PSD)
  • work under the Patient Group Direction (PGD)

Chiropodist/Podiatrist registered with HCPC (whether annotated as Independent Prescriber or not)

This group can:

  • work under the National Protocol (all stages)
  • work under the Patient Group Direction (PGD)
  • work under a PSD written by an appropriate practitioner
  • write a PSD for a COVID-19 vaccine with a UK marketing authorisation (if annotated as an independent prescriber and clinically competent)

This group cannot:

  • act as clinical supervisor for the National Protocol under Regulation 3A

Clinical Scientist registered with HCPC

This group can:

  • work under the National Protocol (stages 2-4)
  • work under a PSD written by an appropriate practitioner

This group cannot:

  • act as clinical supervisor for the National Protocol under Regulation 3A
  • write a Patient Specific Direction (PSD)
  • work under the Patient Group Direction (PGD)

Dietitian registered with HCPC

This group can:

  • work under the National Protocol (all stages)
  • work under the Patient Group Direction (PGD)
  • work under a PSD written by an appropriate practitioner

This group cannot:

  • act as clinical supervisor for the National Protocol under Regulation 3A
  • write a Patient Specific Direction (PSD)

Occupational Therapist registered with HCPC

This group can:

  • work under the National Protocol (all stages)
  • work under the Patient Group Direction (PGD)
  • work under a PSD written by an appropriate practitioner

This group cannot:

  • act as clinical supervisor for the National Protocol under Regulation 3A
  • write a Patient Specific Direction (PSD)

Operating Department Practitioner registered with HCPC

This group can:

  • work under the National Protocol (all stages)
  • work under a PSD written by an appropriate practitioner

This group cannot:

  • act as clinical supervisor for the National Protocol under Regulation 3A
  • write a Patient Specific Direction (PSD)
  • work under the Patient Group Direction (PGD)

Orthoptist registered with HCPC

This group can:

  • work under the National Protocol (all stages)
  • work under the Patient Group Direction (PGD)
  • work under a PSD written by an appropriate practitioner

This group cannot:

  • act as clinical supervisor for the National Protocol under Regulation 3A
  • write a Patient Specific Direction (PSD)

Orthotist/Prosthetist registered with HCPC

This group can:

  • work under the National Protocol (all stages)
  • work under the Patient Group Direction (PGD)
  • work under a PSD written by an appropriate practitioner

This group cannot:

  • act as clinical supervisor for the National Protocol under Regulation 3A
  • write a Patient Specific Direction (PSD)

Paramedic registered with HCPC (whether annotated as Independent Prescriber or not)

This group can:

  • work under the National Protocol (all stages)
  • work under the Patient Group Direction (PGD)
  • work under a PSD written by an appropriate practitioner
  • write a PSD for a COVID-19 vaccine with a UK marketing authorisation (if annotated as an independent prescriber and clinically competent)

This group cannot:

  • act as clinical supervisor for the National Protocol under Regulation 3A

Physiotherapist registered with HCPC (whether annotated as Independent Prescriber or not)

This group can:

  • work under the National Protocol (all stages)
  • work under the Patient Group Direction (PGD)
  • work under a PSD written by an appropriate practitioner
  • write a PSD for a COVID-19 vaccine with a UK marketing authorisation (if annotated as an independent prescriber and clinically competent)

This group cannot:

  • act as clinical supervisor for the National Protocol under Regulation 3A

Radiographer registered with HCPC (whether annotated as Independent Prescriber or not)

This group can:

  • work under the National Protocol (all stages)
  • work under the Patient Group Direction (PGD)
  • work under a PSD written by an appropriate practitioner
  • write a PSD for a COVID-19 vaccine with a UK marketing authorisation (if annotated as an independent prescriber and clinically competent)

This group cannot:

  • act as clinical supervisor for the National Protocol under Regulation 3A

Speech and Language Therapist registered with HCPC

This group can:

  • work under the National Protocol (all stages)
  • work under the Patient Group Direction (PGD)
  • work under a PSD written by an appropriate practitioner

This group cannot:

  • act as clinical supervisor for the National Protocol under Regulation 3A
  • write a Patient Specific Direction (PSD)

Allied Healthcare Professional not registered with HCPC (e.g. Ambulance Technician)

This group can:

  • work under the National Protocol (stages 2-4)
  • work under a PSD written by an appropriate practitioner

This group cannot:

  • act as clinical supervisor for the National Protocol under Regulation 3A
  • write a Patient Specific Direction (PSD)
  • work under the Patient Group Direction (PGD)

Allied Healthcare Professional no longer registered with the HCPC

This group can:

  • work under the National Protocol (stages 2-4)
  • work under a PSD written by an appropriate practitioner

This group cannot:

  • act as clinical supervisor for the National Protocol under Regulation 3A
  • write a Patient Specific Direction (PSD)
  • work under the Patient Group Direction (PGD)

Student Allied Healthcare Professional

This group can:

  • work under the National Protocol (stages 2-4)
  • work under a PSD written by an appropriate practitioner

This group cannot:

  • act as clinical supervisor for the National Protocol under Regulation 3A
  • write a Patient Specific Direction (PSD)
  • work under the Patient Group Direction (PGD)

Update history

  1. The current content is still accurate.
  1. Title amended
  1. The current content is still accurate.
  1. The current content is still accurate.
  1. Reference to Regulation 174 product removed.
  1. The current content is still accurate.
  1. Minor update regarding prescribing of licensed product by independent prescribers.
  1. Minor clarification highlighting Regulation 174 authorised product cannot be prescribed by certain independent prescribers.
  1. Published