CDC: Fully vaccinated people can largely ditch masks indoors
By ZEKE MILLER and MICHAEL BALSAMO Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is easing indoor mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people, allowing them to safely stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and inside in most places. The new guidance is a major step toward returning to pre-pandemic life. It still calls for wearing masks in crowded indoor settings like buses, planes, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters but will help ease restrictions for reopening workplaces and schools. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the CDC, says, “We have all longed for this moment — when we can get back to some sense of normalcy.”

Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Health today encouraged all COVID-19 vaccine providers to start vaccinating anyone age 12 and over with the Pfizer vaccine as recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices held a meeting today to review the data and make an official recommendation to use the vaccine for this age group. The CDC also said that the Pfizer vaccine could be co-administered with other routine vaccinations.

“Hundreds of vaccine providers in Pennsylvania already have Pfizer vaccine on hand and are ready to safely and efficiently vaccinate people in this age group,” Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said, noting that the state’s vaccine provider network is expanding each week.

People can find Pfizer vaccination locations near them using Vaccines.gov, also known as Vaccine Finder. Individuals also can text their zip code to GETVAX (438829) for English, or VACUNA (822862) for Spanish and receive three possible vaccination sites in their area, then choose locations based on availability of the Pfizer vaccine.

In Pennsylvania, immunizations, like other general medical services, require consent. The Department of Health recommends that vaccine providers follow their current policy for vaccinations of minors.

“Once all of the approvals are in place, Pennsylvania vaccine providers will be ready to begin vaccinating these young people to add them to the more than 5.7 million Pennsylvanians who have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine so far,” Acting Secretary Beam said.

The eligibility of 12- to 15-year-olds does not change the Department of Health’s criteria for at least 70 percent of Pennsylvania adults to get fully vaccinated for the state’s mask mandate to be lifted. According to the CDC, as of this morning, 46.2 percent of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated.

Learn more at the CDC’s “COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens” page

Harrisburg, PA – The Wolf Administration today announced that event and gathering maximum occupancy limits will be increased to 50 percent for indoor events and gatherings and 75 percent for outdoor events and gatherings effective Monday, May 17 at 12:01 AM.

“As more Pennsylvania adults get vaccinated and guidance from the CDC evolves, we can continue to move forward with the commonwealth’s reopening efforts,” said Governor Wolf. “We recognize the significant strain businesses have faced during COVID-19 mitigation efforts. Throughout the last year and half, we have seen businesses continue to put the safety of their patrons first and I believe they will continue to do so even with this capacity increase.”

This update will not prevent municipalities, school districts, restaurants and venues from continuing and implementing stricter mitigation efforts. Based on current CDC guidance, social distancing is strongly recommended for municipalities, school districts, restaurants, and venues.

An event or gathering is defined as a temporary grouping of individuals for defined purposes, that takes place over a limited timeframe, such as hours or days. For example, events and gatherings include fairs, festivals, concerts or shows and groupings that occur within larger, more permanent businesses, such as shows or performances within amusements parks, individual showings of movies on a single screen/auditorium within a multiplex, business meetings or conferences, or each party or reception within a multiroom venue.

Face coverings are still to be worn indoors and outdoors if you are away from your home. In accordance with the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, fully vaccinated Pennsylvanians are not required to wear a mask during certain activities. The current order requiring Pennsylvanians to wear masks will be lifted when 70 percent of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated.

“As we continue implementing our reopening plan as quickly as possible, the safety of Pennsylvanians remains at the forefront of our decision making,” said Gov. Wolf. “During the pandemic, all Pennsylvanians have worked collaboratively to stop the spread of COVID-19. We must continue that same mindset during our reopening efforts. I urge each eligible Pennsylvanians to get vaccinated to help protect your neighbors and loved ones as we work to safely reopen our beloved commonwealth communities.”

Currently, maximum occupancy is 25 percent for indoor events and gatherings and 50 percent for outdoor events and gatherings, regardless of venue size and only if attendees and workers are able to comply with the 6-foot physical distancing requirement.

All Pennsylvanians ages 16 and older are eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine. To find a vaccine provider, visit vaccines.gov. Pennsylvanians with questions about the vaccination process can call the Department of Health’s hotline at 1-877-724-3258.

Pfizer COVID-19 shot expanded to US children as young as 12
By LAURAN NEERGAARD and CANDICE CHOI Associated Press
The U.S. is expanding use of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to children as young as 12. The Food and Drug Administration announced Monday that the shot is safe and offers strong protection for younger teens based on testing of more than 2,000 U.S. volunteers. Shots could begin soon once a federal vaccine panel issues recommendations for using the vaccine in 12- to 15-year-olds. Most vaccines rolling out worldwide have been authorized for adults. The latest news is welcome for U.S. families struggling to decide what activities are safe to resume when the youngest family members remain unvaccinated.

(Harrisburg, Pa.) According to the CDC, as of Saturday morning, May 8, Pennsylvania has administered first doses of vaccine to 51.9% of its entire population, and the state ranks 10th among all 50 states for first doses administered by percentage of population.
As of Saturday morning, May 8, 44.1% of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated which means Pennsylvania is 25.9 % away from Gov. Tom Wolf’s goal of 70 % of all Pennsylvania to be vaccinated before the Governor will lift the masking order in the state.
According to the CDC, as of Saturday morning, May 8, Pennsylvania ranks 5th among all 50 states for total doses administered.

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) If you want register to vote with a mail-in ballot for the May 18 primary, you must do so by 5 PM tomorrow.

Acting Secretary of State Veronica W. Degraffenreid urged voters who are voting by mail to submit their application as soon as possible, to allow sufficient time for their ballot to be mailed to them and then returned to the county by 8 p.m. May 18, Election Day.

“Pennsylvanians still have time to apply online for a mail ballot or to apply in person at their county election office,” Secretary Degraffenreid said. “They can also vote early in person by applying for a mail ballot at their county election office, filling it out and returning it all in the same visit until 5 p.m. May 11.”

So far, more than 706,900 Pennsylvania voters have applied for a mail-in ballot and more than 47,000 voters have applied for an absentee ballot.

Keystone State News Connection

May 7, 2021

Andrea Sears

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A new report shows Pennsylvanians are experiencing disparities in access to health care, especially in rural areas and among under-represented racial and ethnic groups.

The report, by AARP Pennsylvania and Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions, showed gaps in access to health care the authors say will continue to grow as the state’s population ages.

Angela Foreshaw-Rouse, manager of state operations and outreach for AARP Pennsylvania, said 14% of Pennsylvanians live in medically underserved areas, and 22% live in areas with shortages of health professionals.

“Geographic, racial and economic factors restrict access to health-care services for many Pennsylvanians, creating disparities that have become more pronounced during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Foreshaw-Rouse stated.

The report also found people age 65 and older are less likely to use the digital technology that has become critical for telehealth visits and to find COVID-19 vaccinations.

The report noted older Pennsylvanians are predominantly white, poor and live in rural areas.

Dr. Laura Gitlin, dean and distinguished university professor at Drexel University, cautioned by 2040, Southeastern Pennsylvania, the most densely populated and diverse part of the state, will see huge growth in its aging population.

“New competencies are needed for a culturally diverse group of older adults,” Gitlin asserted. “Different kinds of cultural competence, and knowledge of evidence-based care for prevention and chronic disease management, is severely lacking.”

She added the current workforce is unprepared to address complex and serious health conditions and lack training in geriatric care.

The report makes recommendations for developing of a culturally competent health-care workforce, and Foreshaw-Rouse argued providing broadband access across the state will be vital.

“Not only access to high-speed internet connectivity, but also technology and the literacy to use the technology,” Foreshaw-Rouse urged. “We know that our internet access is not available equitably across the state, and that is something that we can change.”

(File Photo)

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) Governor Tom Wolf announced earlier this week that all mitigation orders except for the masking order will be lifted on Memorial Day, May 31,2021. He also announced that the masking order will be lifted once 70 percent of Pennsylvania’s citizens 18 and older are fully vaccinated. Currently we are 27.3 percent away according to the numbers that were released Thursday May 7, 2021 by the Pa Department of Health. As of Thursday morning according to the CDC, Pennsylvania has administered first doses of vaccine to 51.2% of its entire population, and the state ranks 10th among all 50 states for first doses administered by percentage of population and 42.7% of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated. Pennsylvania ranks 5th among all 50 states for total doses administered.

College kids urged to get vaccinated; statewide demand flags
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM Associated Press
Pennsylvania officials are encouraging hundreds of thousands of college students to get their shots before they go home for summer. Gov. Tom Wolf appeared in State College on Wednesday with the president and head football coach at Penn State University to pitch younger people on the benefits of getting inoculated against the coronavirus. Penn State President Eric Barron calls it “the most important effort of our lifetime.” He says he calls on “all Penn Staters to lead now.” Statewide, vaccine demand is starting to wane. The Health Department says that vaccine supply exceeded demand for the first time last week.

PITTSBURGH, May 5, 2021 – UPMC and Heritage Valley Health System are partnering to make an outpatient COVID-19 treatment more widely available in western Pennsylvania.

Monoclonal antibody treatment reduces the risk of death and the need for hospitalization in people who receive it soon after being diagnosed with COVID-19. The health systems will pool their supply of monoclonal antibodies and use the extensive UPMC network of infusion centers to provide Heritage Valley patients with the treatment.

 

Donald M. Yealy, M.D., chief medical officer at UPMC said that “This treatment has potential to drastically cut the number of people in our communities who get hospitalized with COVID-19 complications and reduce deaths from this disease,” He went on to say “It is most effective if given within 10 days of diagnosis, and the sooner the better. By partnering with Heritage Valley, we will improve access for patients.”

 

“Heritage Valley has helped ensure that COVID-19 testing and vaccines are available in the community, and would like to expand  patients’ opportunity to receive COVID-19 outpatient treatment, in collaboration with UPMC,” said Michael Cratty, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer at Heritage Valley Health System. “Monoclonal antibodies provide an early treatment opportunity for COVID-19 to those with elevated risk factors. Our collaboration with UPMC expands community access to this important treatment.”

 

Monoclonal antibodies are a type of medication that seeks out the COVID-19 virus in a person’s body and blocks it from infecting their cells and replicating. The treatment is given through a one-time intravenous infusion, usually at an outpatient infusion center.

Patients currently eligible for the treatment are those at a higher risk of a poor outcome from COVID-19, including people 65 or older, those who are obese or those with conditions such as diabetes or lung disease. Younger adults and children over 12 with certain conditions, including asthma, also may be eligible.

UPMC has treated nearly 2,400 patients at 18 infusion centers across Pennsylvania and in New York and Maryland. The treatment also is offered to homebound people through a home-infusion service, and in emergency departments, nursing homes and behavioral health centers in the UPMC system.

Heritage Valley is supplying UPMC with its allotment of monoclonal antibodies from the federal government and will refer qualifying patients to UPMC infusion centers, though the patients will remain under the care of their Heritage Valley physicians.

The U.S. supply of monoclonal antibodies is taxpayer-funded and the medication is given without charge to the institutions that administer it. Currently, UPMC Health Plan waives copayments and deductibles for administering the treatment.

Patients and providers can find out more about monoclonal antibody treatment by visiting upmc.com/AntibodyTreatment or by calling 866-804-5251.