The Virginia House and Senate unanimously advanced separate bills recently to facilitate administration of the COVID-19 vaccine.

House Bill 2333, introduced by Del. Lamont Bagby (D-Richmond), intends to strengthen the state’s vaccine distribution efforts and also bolster data collection.

The measure removes barriers on health care providers’ eligibility to conduct vaccination. Any person licensed or certified by the appropriate health regulatory board, who is in good standing within the past 10 years, can volunteer to vaccinate. This includes nurse practitioners, physician assistants and pharmacy technicians. The bill also allows anyone to volunteer whose license was in good standing within 10 years before it lapsed.

Health profession students enrolled in statewide accredited programs who have been properly trained in vaccine administration will also be allowed to volunteer.

The bill directs the Virginia Department of Health to establish a program where eligible individual...