Harrisburg, PA — The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a grant by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) for the COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccine Uptake Initiative. The program is supported with funding from the Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Through a collaborative arrangement with member pharmacies and community partners, the PPA will develop and expand the vaccination education and access in medically underserved counties in the Commonwealth with a focus on disabled and older adults who demonstrate a high socioeconomic need. Targeted counties include Allegheny, Adams, Bedford, Blair, Bradford, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Lancaster, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Mifflin, Somerset, Venango and Warren.
Funding for up to 25 participating pharmacies in the target counties will support vaccination initiatives, vaccine clinics, in-home vaccinations and participation in community education events to assist with scheduling vaccination appointments and providing trusted information on COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.
To support pharmacy vaccination efforts, PPA’s subject matter experts will provide education and training of participating pharmacy staff on immunization schedules, best practices for implementation of vaccination clinics and use of appropriate social services referrals. In addition, pharmacies will receive guidance on media outreach including communication toolkits to engage their communities in their vaccine initiatives.
Community partnerships with the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network,Value Drug Company, the Latino Connection and the Pennsylvania Health Care Association will extend the vaccine uptake initiative through assistance with referral services, coordination of community health events and scheduling of vaccine clinics at which participating pharmacy staff will provide vaccinations to these hard-to-reach populations in accessible and comfortable settings.
Today, nearly nine out of 10 deaths from COVID-19 are among people 65 and over, and 70-85% of seasonal flu-related deaths occur in older adults, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While lifesaving vaccines are available, research shows COVID-19 vaccine uptake has slowed among older adults. Thanks to this grant, PPA will organize a robust vaccination program to address this challenge in some of Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable communities.
“The PPA is honored to be a recipient of these funds and excited to have this opportunity to support our community pharmacies who were, are and will remain the most crucial front-line access for so many of our most vulnerable patients in the Commonwealth,” says PPA Chief Executive Officer Victoria Elliott, RPh, MBA, CAE.
About The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association
Founded in 1878, the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association is a professional membership organization of more than 2,300 pharmacists and pharmacy students across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, representing nearly all facets of pharmacy practice. As the leading voice of pharmacy in Pennsylvania, PPA promotes the profession through advocacy, education, and communication to enhance patient care and public health. For more information about PPA, visit papharmacists.com/.
About the National Council on Aging
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is the national voice for every person’s right to age well. NCOA believes that how we age should not be determined by gender, color, sexuality, income, or ZIP code. Working with thousands of national and local partners, NCOA provides resources, tools, best practices, and advocacy to ensure every person can age with health and financial security. Founded in 1950, NCAO is the oldest national organization focused on older adults. Learn more at www.ncoa.org and @NCOAging.
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