Across the country, chains like CVS and Walgreens have prompted frustration over their slow rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine. In response, the state of Maine has been transferring doses of the vaccine from the chains over to local independent pharmacies instead, who are ready to take initiative and help speed up distribution. There are many factors in play, and the state is moving fast to get these doses administered to the public as efficiently as possible.

APhA CEO Scott J. Knoer praised President Biden’s plan to take enhanced action on the Covid-19 response. The President has allocated funds and the use of public health workers in the ‘race against time’ to control the pandemic and vaccinate all Americans. Knoer emphasized that the plan must mobilize and take advantage of the nearly 400,000 pharmacy personnel that are trained and ready to help with vaccination in their communities.

Three independent pharmacies in Alabama recount their experience administering the COVID-19 vaccine so far. They were chosen to receive doses early as a trial run in order to prove that independent pharmacies would be beneficial in distributing the vaccine. Demand has been overwhelming, but they are working hard to get everyone vaccinated that they can in accordance with the Governor’s announcements of who is currently eligible to get the vaccine.

As the SARS-CoV-2 virus is mutating over time, the FDA warns health care providers that these new genetic variants of the virus may not be detected by certain molecular tests – resulting in false negative test results. The FDA is monitoring the effects of this genetic variation in the tests that have been given Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), and has identified 3 brands of tests that may not be accurate in this situation. The FDA is also providing guidance on how to address these possible false negative results.