The vote allows pharmacists to administer vaccinations based on the recommendation of medical professional societies.
The State Board of Pharmacy held a special meeting last week to vote on a measure that would bypass the immunization recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
The State Board of Pharmacy determines when and to whom pharmacists are permitted to administer vaccinations. The board previously followed CDC guidance on immunizations, which is issued by a panel of experts.
The special meeting was held in response to concerns that federal health authorities could potentially issue recommendations with political reasoning.
The measure raised at the meeting received unanimous support on Wednesday. Having passed, it will allow the State Board of Pharmacy to issue guidance based on the recommendations of three medical professional societies.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will issue the recommendations used to compile guidance for those offering immunizations in Pennsylvania.
Wednesday’s vote allows pharmacies across the state to offer and administer the latest seasonal vaccines as soon as they receive them. At the federal level, the vaccine advisory panel has not yet issued COVID-19 immunization guidelines for this year.
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expressed skepticism of vaccinations. He recently removed and replaced all 17 members of the vaccine advisory committee.
“We’re in new territory. When I think about where else I go as a public health professional and a clinician for public health guidance, I think of our professional organizations,” said Rob Bonacci, a clinician and former CDC employee who serves as special advisor to Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Health.
Following the vote, Governor Shapiro issued a statement in support of the board’s decision.
“I called on the State Board of Pharmacy to hold a special meeting to bring clarity to the people of Pennsylvania. Health care decisions should be up to individuals – not the federal government and certainly not RFK Jr. My Administration will continue to protect health care access for all Pennsylvanians,” Shapiro said.
