Montana school staff can now schedule with select pharmacies to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
The state health department is reviewing this federal directive, announced earlier this week.
Walgreens’ automated COVID-19 vaccine scheduling message now includes educators and childcare workers alongside those who qualify under the state’s vaccination plan, currently in Phase 1B.
“Based on guidance from the state of Montana, Walgreens is now vaccinating healthcare workers, people with high risk medical conditions, school staff and childcare workers and people 60 and older.”
Pres. Joe Biden announced Tuesday that members of the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program will vaccinate school and child care workers regardless of state distribution plans.
Spokesperson Jon Ebelt with the Montana Dept. of Public Health and Human Services says the state is “in the process of reviewing the federal mandate.”
Under Biden’s directive, pharmacies aim to distribute first doses to all school staff and childcare workers during March, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Educators can call their local pharmacies or check the company’s website to find out if they’re participating.
On Monday some areas of Montana will also begin vaccinating people in the new Phase 1B+, which includes Montanans in their 60s and people 16 to 59 years of age with additional underlying health conditions, including asthma, cystic fibrosis and liver disease.
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