Pharmacists in Pennsylvania will be able to order, administer COVID-19 vaccines

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HARRISBURG, Pa. — A temporary waiver approved by Gov. Tom Wolf will allow Pennsylvania pharmacists to order and administer COVID-19 vaccines without a physician’s order when the shots are available to the public.

Pharmacists licensed by the Department of State will be added to the health care professionals allowed to administer the vaccines, giving Pennsylvanians more options once the vaccine is widely available.

“Pharmacists, as well as pharmacy interns and technicians, are critical partners in the commonwealth’s plan to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine,” Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar said in a statement. “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.”

The waiver applies solely to COVID-19 vaccines for the duration of Wolf’s Disaster Emergency Declaration, plus 90 days.

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

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