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Public health and social justice organizations are calling for pharmacists to be allowed to administer all CDC recommended vaccines.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, NAACP New York State Conference, New York State Association of County Health Organizations, New York Public Health Association and more than 20 other groups are urging lawmakers in Albany to pass legislation allowing pharmacists to administer all vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to anyone over the age of 18. Currently, state law allows for the administration of some vaccines, but not others.
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network senior New York government relations director Julie Hart:
Nearly 70% of Asian Americans in NYC have had a first COVID vaccine dose, compared to less than 50% of white and black New York adults
Only 44% of people in NYC have had at least a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 55% of adults 18 and over there have had one or more shots
But 68% of Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander adults in the city have had first shot, compared to 49% of white New Yorkers and 30% of black New Yorkers
Experts say Asian American cultures are more concerned with protecting their elders and community members, making them automatically more willing and eager to get vaccinated