By now you’ve likely heard the promising news: Pfizer’s vaccine candidate is more than 90% effective. More than promising, this further confirms that the arrival of an FDA authorized and approved COVID-19 vaccine, recommended for use by the CDC, is imminent. In anticipation of this pivotal moment, and as part of the White House’s Operation Warp Speed (OWS), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced a partnership between the U.S. government, large chain pharmacies, and networks that represent independent pharmacies and regional chains to increase access to COVID-19 vaccines across the country – particularly in traditionally underserved areas.
With the vast majority of Americans living within five miles of a pharmacy1, it is no surprise that this popular healthcare destination has become a vaccination hub. Home to the community’s most knowledgeable and trusted healthcare professional (pharmacists), pharmacies have long played a vital role in administering influenza vaccinations, and are now a centerpiece of the public health response to COVID-19. By counseling patients, expanding access to childhood vaccinations during the pandemic, and ordering and administering COVID-19 tests, pharmacists continue to help mitigate the spread of disease and maintain community health. In fact, many pharmacy interns and technicians are qualified to administer immunizations – including for COVID-192 – making pharmacy vaccinators a crucial public health partner in increasing access and convenience of COVID-19 vaccines.
By leveraging the existing infrastructure and established relationships of pharmacies and pharmacy networks, the Trump administration believes it will ensure rapid access and affordability of COVID-19 vaccines for all Americans when available. In further support of this critical public health mission, the federal government maintains that COVID-19 vaccines administered at partnering pharmacy locations will be provided at no cost to patients.
If your pharmacy does not currently participate in the federal allocation program, the Department of Health and Human Services encourages you to coordinate with your jurisdiction’s health department to become a COVID-19 vaccine provider, and part of the solution.
PrescribeWellness and COVID-19
Don’t forget that PrescribeWellness continues to offer our frontline providers the opportunity to secure authorized and reliable COVID-19 testing kits through our online purchase form. Our dedicated team members are standing by to provide you support throughout the entire testing process, such as facilitating the transportation of specimens for lab processing.
For more information on how PrescribeWellness can support your community pharmacy during the developing coronavirus pandemic, explore our blog further, or fill in the form below!
We’re here to help and love hearing from you!
1 https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/11/12/trump-administration-partners-chain-independent-community-pharmacies-increase-access-future-covid-19-vaccines.html
2 https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/legal/prepact/Pages/default.aspx
