PharmaTech 030421

To Vaccinate Veterans, Health Care Workers Must Cross Mountains, Plains and Tundra
By Patricia Kime Veterans Affairs officials are flying COVID-19 vaccines to remote locations in Montana and Alaska to quickly inoculate rural veterans before the drugs expire.

Calling All Vaccinators: Closing the Next Gap in Covid Supply and Demand
By Julie Appleby In the herculean effort to vaccinate America, the emphasis so far has been on trying to increase the number of vaccine doses available. Soon there could be a shortfall in people to administer the shots.

As Covid Surged, Vaccines Came Too Late for at Least 400 Medical Workers
By Erin McCormick, The Guardian A Guardian/KHN analysis of deaths nationwide indicates that at least 1 in 8 health workers lost in the pandemic died after the vaccine became available, narrowly missing the protection that might have saved their lives.

Family Caregivers, Routinely Left Off Vaccine Lists, Worry What Would Happen ‘If I Get Sick’
By Judith Graham Tens of thousands of middle-aged sons and daughters — too young to qualify for a vaccine — care for older relatives with serious ailments and want to get the shots to protect their loved ones and themselves.

In California, Caregivers of People With Disabilities Are Being Turned Away at COVID Vaccine Sites
By Jackie Fortiér, LAist Parents and caregivers of people with disabilities in California are supposed to be near the front of the line for the covid-19 vaccine. But some are hitting roadblocks at vaccination sites.

Countless Homebound Patients Still Wait for Covid Vaccine Despite Seniors’ Priority
By Judith Graham Health organizations have begun sending doctors and nurses to apartment buildings and private homes to vaccinate homebound seniors, but the efforts are slow and spotty.

Connecticut Is Doling Out Vaccines Based Strictly on Age. It’s Simpler, but Is it Fair?
By Phil Galewitz and Carmen Heredia Rodriguez On Monday, Connecticut will be the first state to begin vaccinating anyone from age 55 to 64 — instead of people with chronic health issues and essential workers.

Black Churches Fill a Unique Role in Combating Vaccine Fears
By Anna Almendrala Churches are the keystone of a major campaign to bring good information about covid vaccines to Black communities. But pastors are finding that scarce supplies and a clumsy rollout are complicating efforts to urge vaccination.

Rural Hospital Remains Entrenched in Covid ‘War’ Even Amid Vaccine Rollout
By Lauren Weber Louisiana’s St. James Parish Hospital thought the vaccine would mean the end of its long covid fight. Then the ICU beds surrounding them ran out.

Rural Americans in Pharmacy Deserts Hurting for Covid Vaccines
By Markian Hawryluk Pharmacies are poised to start filling the gaps to vaccinate all of America against covid. Where does that leave people in rural counties that lack pharmacies?

The Do’s and Don’ts on Social Media for Vaccine Haves and Have-Nots
By Chaseedaw Giles In the thick of a global pandemic, and with a vaccine rollout that has been less than optimal, it's no surprise that selfies featuring the coveted covid shot surface on social media timelines. But is posting a vaccine selfie on your social media account a faux pas or a needed encouragement for others to get the shot?

Covid Vaccine Websites Violate Disability Laws, Create Inequity for the Blind
By Lauren Weber and Hannah Recht A KHN investigation found covid vaccine registration and information websites at the federal, state and local levels are flouting disability rights laws and limiting the ability of people who are blind or visually impaired to sign up for shots.

Why AstraZeneca and J&J’s Vaccines, In Use Elsewhere, Are Still on Hold in America
By Sarah Jane Tribble Covid has pressed the Food and Drug Administration into its fastest vaccine reviews ever — which are still painfully slow, critics say.

Companies Pan for Marketing Gold in Vaccines
By Sarah Kwon Some assisted living facilities, pharmacy chains and health care providers are luring new customers with covid shots.

Bay Area Cities Go to War Over Gas Stoves in Homes and Restaurants
By Miranda Green Environmentalists say gas appliances spew greenhouse gases and exacerbate asthma. Restaurant owners and chefs say you can’t cook food properly with electricity.