(Harrisburg, Pa.) The Pennsylvania Department of Health has made a very controversial move in updating those who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 Vaccine in Phase 1A in the state.
Smokers are now among a new group of Pennsylvanians that are eligible to move to the front of the line to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

The department said in a press release that “Pennsylvania has chosen to follow the CDC’s recommendations and include smoking among the list of medical conditions putting individuals at greater risk.”

Officials point to public health experts who agree that smoking is associated with the increased severity of disease and death in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.