Dentists Can Start Administering COVID-19 Vaccines In Wisconsin

WISCONSIN — Dentists in Wisconsin can now administer both the COVID-19 and flu vaccines under certain circumstances thanks to a bill signed by Gov. Tony Evers on Monday.

The bill mandates that dentists complete an eight hour course and training on vaccine storage, protocols, administration technique, emergency procedures, and record keeping. Dentists also need to have liability insurance that meets certain requirements.

"Wisconsin has been consistently at the top as a leader in the nation in getting available shots in arms, and that's in part because Wisconsinites are always ready to roll up their sleeves and help," Evers said in a statement. "It's all hands on deck and dentists have the right knowledge and experience to get shots in arms quickly and safely, and we know we can use their help to get this done and to put the pandemic behind us."

The bill requires dentists to update the state's immunization registry within seven days of giving the shot. Dentists also can't give the vaccine to anyone under the age of 6 unless it's been prescribed and they have completed specific training to do so.

More than 2.3 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Wisconsin and at least 25 percent of Wisconsinites have gotten one dose of the vaccine while nearly 15 percent have received both doses, according to state data.