Last Updated: Mar 24, 2021
Physicians, along with their colleagues in health care, have been the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic for more than a year. Now that there are vaccines, they stand ready and willing to vaccinate the patients they’ve been caring for through this difficult time.
It isn’t that easy, though.
Many physicians’ offices face a slew of hurdles, the latest being a PREP Act Amendment last week that expanded COVID-19 vaccinators to include veterinarians and dentists amongst other practitioners.
With the narrowing of the supply chain, removing most physician offices from the plan, implementing new rules for those who wish to vaccinate, and not communicating directly with those who’ve applied to become vaccinators, and now the expansion of the list of providers eligible to provide the vaccines, there seems to be a sea of obstacles that stand in the way of allowing physician practices to administer vaccines to their patients.
PAMED continues to advocate for our physician members and their capable teams meeting regularly with the Department of Health. We continue to offer our expertise and input and hope to insert the physicians back into the process of caring for their patients.
“Pennsylvania needs to use the already established and available network of physicians across the state, particularly primary care practitioners,” said PAMED President Michael DellaVecchia, MD. “The Pennsylvania Medical Society urges our public officials to tap into this immediate resource. Physicians are extremely qualified to help solve this critical need.”
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Media Contact
Claire Shearer
mediarelations@pamedsoc.org
About the Pennsylvania Medical Society
PAMED is a physician-led, member-driven organization representing all physicians and medical students throughout the state. We advocate for physicians and their patients, educate physicians through continuing medical education, and provide expert resources and guidance to help physicians and their organizations navigate challenges in today’s ever-evolving health care system. For more information, visit www.pamedsoc.org.