The Wolf administration announced a partnership with Rite Aid to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to staff and residents of long-term care facilities.
"As Pennsylvania and the nation move forward with administering COVID-19 vaccinations, we must ensure that our most vulnerable residents and the dedicated essential workers providing daily care and support are being protected and prioritized," said DHS Secretary Teresa Miller in a released statement.
"This partnership will complement efforts being coordinated through the federal pharmacy partnership and ensure we are efficiently and effectively issuing vaccine supply to other critical, priority populations. We are grateful to Rite Aid for this collaboration and support in protecting vulnerable Pennsylvanians."
The state says clinics will be set up to allow staff and residents to go get the vaccine. For those who cannot travel to receive it, Rite Aid will travel to the facility to administer the vaccine.
The administration says the vaccinations will not take place at Rite Aid pharmacies.
Earlier in the month, Governor Tom Wolf lifted a restriction, thus now permitting pharmacies in Pennsylvania to administer the COVID-19 vaccine without a doctor's orders. Pharmacies will be able to give the vaccine once it is available to the general public.
Currently, the state is working through its COVID-19 vaccination plan, which started with vaccinating frontline healthcare workers.
Grocery store chain Giant Eagle released a statement last week saying its in-store pharmacies are prepared to administer the vaccine once the state says it can begin to do so.
Allegheny County on Tuesday said its still in Phase 1A of the vaccine rollout due to fluctuating vaccine supplies from the federal government.
In addition to long-term care facilities, the agreement with Rite Aid will also apply to congregate care facilities.
