Pharmacies in PA will be allowed to administer COVID vaccine

by PublicSource Reporters

Allegheny County Health Department reported 420 new COVID-19 cases and two new deaths Friday.

The new cases — from positive tests dated Aug. 17 to Jan. 14 — come from individuals 8 months old to 101 years old, with a median age of 41.

Among the new deaths, dated Jan. 13, one person was in their 70s  and one person was in their 90s. One of the deaths was associated with a long-term care facility. 

To date, Allegheny County Health Department has reported 63,358 cases, 1,183 deaths from the virus and 3,777 past and present hospitalizations.

The Pennsylvania Department of State announced Thursday, Jan. 14, that pharmacies in the state will be allowed to administer the COVID-19 vaccine, when vaccines from the federal government are widely available to the public. Gov. Tom Wolf issued a temporary waiver allowing pharmacists licensed by the Department of State to order and administer COVID-19 vaccines without a physician’s order, in an attempt to make vaccine distribution more accessible to the public. 

Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar said that pharmacists and pharmacies play a critical role in the accessibility of the COVID-19 vaccine. 

 “Many Pennsylvanians will go to their local pharmacy for vaccination. This waiver will enable pharmacies to offer the COVID-19 vaccines without a physician’s order,” Boockvar said. 

Pennsylvania pharmacists who meet certain training and other requirements can obtain authorization to administer injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations. If a pharmacist has that authorization, he or she can administer any immunization, including COVID-19 immunizations to any person 18 years of age or older. Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said the Wolf Administration is making every effort to ensure safe accessibility to the COVID-19 vaccine. 

“We are working on ways to increase access to the vaccine, and pharmacists already play an important role in making sure Pennsylvanians are protected,” said Dr. Levine. 

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Pharmacies in PA will be allowed to administer COVID vaccine

 

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