Pennsylvania now allows smokers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine first with nurses and doctors because it is a ‘high risk medical condition’
- Smokers can now receive the COVID-19 vaccine in the first phase of the Pennsylvania launch
- The state added those with ‘high-risk medical conditions’ to its initial phase, which includes smoking
- The state is still in its first implementation phase, which includes health professionals, over 65 years old
- Smokers are now eligible to receive the vaccine before the first respondents, correctional officers, teachers, grocery workers and public transport workers
- Pennsylvania’s decision comes a week after New Jersey also changed its rules to include smokers
Pennsylvania now allows smokers to stay at the front of the line for COVID-19 vaccinations alongside nurses, doctors and nursing home residents.
Smokers became eligible to receive doses first in the state, after the Pennsylvania Department of Health added those with ‘high-risk medical conditions’ to the first phase of the vaccine’s launch.
Smoking is among the conditions considered high risk.
The state is still in its first phase of implementation, which includes health professionals, those over 65 and those aged between 16 and 64 in high-risk conditions.
So far, Pennsylvania has distributed 643,000 of its 1.3 million doses. Pennsylvania is now allowing smokers to stay at the front of the line for COVID-19 vaccinations alongside nurses, doctors and nursing home residents
Other high-risk conditions include cancer, chronic kidney disease, Down syndrome, heart disease, obesity and pregnancy.
Under the changes, smokers are now eligible to receive the vaccine before the first respondents, correctional officers, teachers, grocery workers and public transport workers.
So far, Pennsylvania has distributed 643,000 of its 1.3 million doses.
The state administered 21,000 first doses and 4,400 second doses on Thursday.
The state health department said smokers are now included because they are considered to be at greater risk of becoming seriously ill if they contract COVID-19.
NUMBER OF VACCINATIONS: So far, Pennsylvania has distributed 643,000 of its 1.3 million doses. The state administered 21,000 first doses and 4,400 second doses on Thursday
Those aged 55-59 are the highest proportion to be vaccinated in Pennsylvania so far
“Pennsylvania has chosen to follow the CDC’s recommendations and include smoking on the list of medical conditions that put individuals at greatest risk,” said a spokesman.
To date, there has been no comprehensive study on how smokers are most affected by COVID.
Pennsylvania’s decision comes a week after New Jersey also changed its rules to include smokers.
It is not yet clear how they prove whether someone is a smoker or not, if they appear to get the vaccine.
Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease specialist and intensive care physician in PItsburgh, said that smoking is associated with an increased severity of the virus and can lead to hospitalizations.
“When people look at a vaccine allocation decision, it really is driven by what will keep people out of the hospital,” said Dr. Adalja to WTAE-4.
Pennsylvania now allows smokers to be at the front of the line for COVID-19 vaccinations alongside nurses, doctors and nursing home residents. In the photo is Governor Tom Wolf