Most family physicians have not had access to COVID vaccines for their patients, but that could soon change.
The first shipments of the Johnson & Johnson vaccines in Pennsylvania will go directly to teachers and other school employees. But family physicians are hoping they'll start getting a supply soon.
The J&J shots could be a real game-changer for primary care physicians, who've been largely left out of the supply chain until now.
Since these vaccines don't need to be frozen, they can be more widely distributed at doctor's office and even community events.
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"We really are constrained by the Pfizer freezer need that things really have to stay either in mass events or at hospital clinics, which is really tough to get to some people," explained Dr. Amy Crawford-Faucher, a family physician with Allegheny Health Network.
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccinates require two shots and must be kept in freezers. Since that's not the case with the Johnson and Johnson shots, it means it can be more widely distributed.
Dr. Crawford-Faucher said "We are really looking forward to some J&J supply because then we can have it in our doctor's offices and like any other vaccine, you can come and get it at your doctor's office. It also means that we can take it on the road. We can take it to community events."
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Until now, vaccines have mainly been available only through mass clinics, hospitals, and major pharmacies.