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RN and RPN COVID-19 vaccine exemption ends March 31
As of Sunday, March 31, 2024, legislative exemptions that allowed Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) to administer the COVID-19 vaccine without an order will expire. The exemption, which was put into place in 2021, has only applied for nurses practicing in certain organizations that have an agreement with the Minister of Health related to administration of the COVID-19 vaccine.
This means that as of Monday, April 1, 2024, RNs and RPNs will require an order to administer the COVID-19 vaccine.
RNs and RPNs will be able to administer the vaccine with an order provided they are in a setting where they are supported by employer policies.
RNs and RPNs can administer on the order of an authorized RN prescriber. Authorized RN prescribers are new to Ontario and noted on Find a Nurse. You can read more about RN prescribing here. RN prescribers are able to prescribe any vaccines for the prevention of bacterial and viral disease, including COVID-19, provided employer policies permit it in the practice setting.
