The U.S. Federal Government has created a partnership with 21 pharmacy networks and partners to begin distribution of vaccines across the United States as a part of a program to broaden the average American citizens’ accessibility to vaccines. Prior to this program, most vaccines were distributed solely to healthcare workers, and then to the most essential frontline workers. Federally speaking, all citizens 16 or older now have access to the vaccine, but that does not mean that they are able to secure a vaccination appointment. Normalizing vaccination availability at pharmacies is just one way that our country is attempting to provide easy access to the Covid-19 Pandemic Vaccine.
By utilizing pharmacies, the federal government can provide vaccination access to most citizens, and most citizens will have multiple options to obtain a vaccine appointment through pharmacies in their neighborhood. It can be hard to travel to governmental mass sites, especially if there is limited access to public transportation or safe transportation in general due to the pandemic. The program bridges the otherwise insurmountable class, economic, and geographical difficulties many communities in America face. The communities who are most gravely affected by the pandemic can get an appointment with ease through this program.
The pandemic will not end, or even slow down, without widespread vaccine distribution. Up until recent weeks, most citizens found it impossible to find a vaccine appointment. If this program provides hundreds of thousands of appointments for the foreseeable future, this puts us closer to the ultimate goal of herd immunity and alleviates much of the horror experienced over the last year. In addition to providing accessibility to large amounts of people who normally would not have access to the vaccine, the vaccine is also completely free.
Licensed Pharmacists are no strangers to vaccine distribution at their respective pharmacy, as pharmacies are often the public’s only access to various vaccines. But this particular program, within the context of Covid-19, is a particularly noteworthy and noble cause. If IDFPR alleges that a pharmacist has not handled a vaccine correctly or otherwise acted improperly, we can help. Williams & Nickl has represented many pharmacists who face issues with IDFPR. If you find yourself in such a situation, Williams & Nickl can provide the help you need.
