Pennsylvania now allows smokers to receive 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 has added those with “high-risk medical conditions” to the initial phase, which includes smoking
- Currently, the state is still in the first phase of launch, which includes medical staff, those over 65 years
- Smokers are now eligible to receive the vaccine before first responders, correctional officers, teachers, grocery store workers and public transportation workers.
- Pennsylvania’s decision comes a week after New Jersey changed its rules to include smokers
Pennsylvania now allows smokers to lead the COVID-19 vaccination line with nurses, physicians 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 launch.
Smoking is one of the conditions considered to be high risk.
Currently, the state is still in the first phase of launch, which includes medical staff, those over 65 and those between 16 and 64 with high risk conditions.
To date, Pennsylvania has distributed 643,000 of the 1.3 million doses. Pennsylvania now allows smokers to lead COVID-19 vaccination line with 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 first responders, correctional officers, teachers, grocery store workers and public transport workers.
To date, Pennsylvania has distributed 643,000 of the 1.3 million doses.
The state administered 21,000 first doses and 4,400 second doses on Thursday.
The state health department said smokers have now been included, as they are considered to be at higher risk of becoming seriously ill if they contract COVID-19.
NUMBER OF VACCINES: To date, Pennsylvania has distributed 643,000 of the 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 vaccinated in Pennsylvania to date
“Pennsylvania has chosen to follow the CDC’s recommendations and include smoking among the list of medical conditions that put people at higher risk,” a spokesman said.
To date, no large-scale study has been conducted on how smokers are more affected by COVID.
Pennsylvania’s decision comes a week after New Jersey changed its rules to include smokers.
It is not yet clear how or if someone is a smoker if they show up to receive the vaccine.
Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease expert and critical care physician in PIttsburgh, said smoking was associated with an increased severity of the virus and could lead to hospitalizations.
“When people look at a vaccine allocation decision, it’s really driven by what will keep people out of the hospital,” Dr. Adalja told WTAE-4.
Pennsylvania now allows smokers to lead the COVID-19 vaccination line with nurses, physicians and nursing home residents. Pictured is Governor Tom Wolf