The proposed resolution, introduced by Councilmember Christina Henderson, declares an emergency regarding the need to amend the District of Columbia Health Occupations Revision Act of 1985 and the Consent for Vaccinations of Minors Amendment Act of 2022. The amendment aims to authorize healthcare providers, particularly pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, to order and administer immunizations recommended by recognized medical and public health organizations without requiring a prescription from an authorized prescriber. This change is deemed necessary due to the upcoming respiratory disease season, which is expected to see an increase in cases of COVID-19, influenza, and RSV, all of which can be mitigated through effective immunizations.

The resolution highlights recent federal actions that have created uncertainty about pharmacists' ability to administer certain immunizations without a prescription, leading some local pharmacies to announce they would not be able to provide these services. The emergency legislation is intended to ensure that residents, visitors, and workers in the District have access to critical immunizations, particularly for individuals under 18. The Council has determined that the circumstances warrant immediate action, allowing the Immunizations Emergency Amendment Act of 2025 to be adopted after a single reading, with the resolution taking effect immediately.