2025-2026 COVID-19 Vaccine Standing Order for Administering Vaccine
Standing Order and Protocol
Purpose:
To reduce morbidity and mortality from COVID-19, this statewide standing order authorizes qualified
health care professionals to administer the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine to individuals who meet the
criteria established by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).
Authority:
This standing order is issued pursuant to IDPH’s Powers and Duties Law, 20 ILCS 2305, which allows
the agency to order the administration of vaccines or other treatments as necessary to prevent the
probable spread of a contagious and infectious disease. This legal authority extends to IDPH’s authority
and obligation to restrict and suppress the spread of COVID-19 as a respiratory illness that increases
during the fall and winter seasons.
Policy:
This standing order authorizes health care professionals (HCPs) licensed in the State of Illinois who
work in pharmacies and other appropriate clinical settings and who are authorized to administer
vaccines acting within the scope of their respective practice acts (Medical Practice Act, 225 ILCS 60;
Nursing Practice Act, 225 ILCS 65; Pharmacy Practice Act, 225 ILCS 85; Physician Assistant Practice Act,
225 ILCS 95) to assess and vaccinate individuals who satisfy the criteria in the “Procedure” section
below without the need for clinician examination or direct order from the attending provider at the
time of the interaction. Any health care professionals who administer vaccines as a delegated task or
duty from a collaborating or supervising physician must ensure the collaborating or supervising
physician has authorized administration of vaccines under this standing order.