Montana Governor Reduces ‘Barriers’ to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine
A new directive by Governor Greg Gianforte will temporarily waive restrictions for registered pharmacists, allowing them to supervise more pharmacy techs who administer the COVID-19 vaccine, according to a press release.
Executive Order 2-2021 is a directive from the Governor that will remain in effect through the end of Montana's state of emergency, and authorizes pharmacists to use licensed health care providers from any state to "administer vaccines under his or her scope of practice, to assist in the administration of COVID-19 vaccines."
Governor Gianforte said he hopes this directive will make it easier for Montana pharmacies to administer the COVID-19 vaccinations more efficiently to residents of the Treasure State.
As we expand vaccine eligibility to all Montanans on April 1, we’re focused on reducing barriers Montanans face to get the vaccine and increasing access to it. -Greg Gianforte, Governor of Montana
As of 9pm on Tuesday, March 30, there are 186,542 Montanans that have been fully immunized, and over 476,000 doses administered throughout the states. In Yellowstone County, more than 27,000 have been fully immunized, and almost 68,000 doses administered, according to the Center for Disease Control vaccine dashboard.
To read Governor Gianforte's directive to reduce barriers to administer COVID-19 vaccine, CLICK HERE.
Governor Gianforte also issued a proclamation today marking March 30, 2021 as National Doctor Day in the state of Montana in which we recognize "physicians across Montana who work to prevent illness and disease, treat and care for the sick, and save lives."
A portion of the Governor's proclamation for National Doctor's Day in Montana stated:
Montana doctors, in the face of the considerable challenges COVID-19 has brought, have demonstrated continued resilience and strength as they care for patients and vaccinate Montanans against the virus.
To see the Governor Gianforte's entire proclamation, CLICK HERE.
LOOK: Answers to 30 common COVID-19 vaccine questions
While much is still unknown about the coronavirus and the future, what is known is that the currently available vaccines have gone through all three trial phases and are safe and effective. It will be necessary for as many Americans as possible to be vaccinated in order to finally return to some level of pre-pandemic normalcy, and hopefully these 30 answers provided here will help readers get vaccinated as soon they are able.