VDA President Dr. Frank Iuorno, Jr. and immediate past president Dr. Elizabeth Reynolds joined a group of bipartisan legislators in Richmond this week as they unveiled emergency legislation that would expand the pool of vaccinators for the COVID-19 vaccine to dentists and dental students.
WATCH: VDA President Dr. Frank Iuorno, Jr. Speaks at Bipartisan Vaccine Press Conference
The VDA and ADA have been advocating for dentists to be allowed to administer the vaccine as part of the effort to combat the pandemic. The VDA and VDHA sent a joint letter to Governor Northam urging him to allow dentists and hygienists to serve as vaccinators and Dr. Iuorno urged state vaccine coordinator Dr. Danny Avula to allow more flexibility to healthcare personnel, including dentists, to assist in a video discussion this week.
In remarks, Senator Siobhan Dunnavant said that the emergency legislation could move quickly and potentially be enacted within a week. In the discussion with the VDA and in remarks to reporters, Dr. Avula also indicated that the Governor could update his Executive Order 57 soon to allow broader flexibility in the vaccine response.
The VDA will provide further updates as the legislation advances.
Dentists and dental team members who are interested in assisting the vaccine effort are encouraged to register and make sure their information is up-to-date with the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps.