First-of-Its-Kind Tool Helps Patients and Providers Access COVID-19 Vaccines At Their Local Pharmacies
UPPER NYACK, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Global Healthy Living Foundation (GHLF) today announced the launch of GetMyCOVIDVax, a new online tool designed to help adult patients and health care providers understand whether and how they can access COVID-19 vaccines at their local pharmacy, based on the most current regulations in their state.
With ongoing regulatory changes, evolving CDC guidance, and differing state-level vaccination authorities, navigating vaccine access remains a challenge for many. GetMyCOVIDVax offers simple, state-specific clarity at a time when respiratory viruses continue to put vulnerable populations, especially people with chronic diseases, at elevated risk.
“Patients and providers are frustrated by constantly shifting rules that affect when, where, and by whom a COVID-19 vaccine can be administered,” said Robert Popovian, PharmD, MS, GHLF’s Chief Science Policy Officer. “We created GetMyCOVIDVax because access should not be a puzzle. Clear, timely information is essential to ensuring people get vaccinated and stay protected.”
A Simple Tool for a Complex System
Users select whether they are:
- A patient seeking a COVID-19 vaccine, or
- A health care provider looking for authority or administration guidance,
Then users can choose their state. The tool instantly displays up-to-date, verified information about administration pathways and any unique state requirements affecting COVID-19 vaccination.
As policies shift, sometimes rapidly, GHLF will update the tool, ensuring that patients, pharmacists, nurses, and clinicians always have current and reliable information at their fingertips.
“Adults overwhelmingly prefer pharmacies for vaccinations, yet state regulations can delay or restrict access,” said Seth Ginsberg, President and Co-Founder of GHLF. “This tool helps close the gap between policy and real-world patient needs by giving everyone a clear picture of what’s possible in their state.”
Why This Matters Now
Across the United States, legislative and regulatory changes have altered vaccine access, with variations from state to state. These differences can determine:
- Whether pharmacists can vaccinate independently
- Whether standing orders or protocols are required
- Whether patients must first see another provider for a prescription
For adults with chronic diseases, many of whom rely on pharmacies as their primary vaccination point, these variations can result in delays, missed vaccinations, and increased risk of severe illness.
“Patients deserve straight answers,” Dr. Popovian added. “GetMyCOVIDVax cuts through the confusion and empowers people to take action.”
GHLF’s New Vaccine Education Hub
GetMyCOVIDVax is housed within GHLF’s medically validated Vaccine Hub, a comprehensive, patient-friendly resource that offers:
- Evidence-based information about adult vaccines
- Updates on vaccine policy, access challenges, and new recommendations
- Podcasts, webinars, and easy-to-understand educational materials
- A growing set of decision-support tools for both patients and providers
For continued updates and to access GHLF’s vaccine content, visit: https://ghlf.org/vaccines/
About GHLF
The Global Healthy Living Foundation is a U.S. based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, international organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for people with chronic illnesses by advocating for improved access to health care through education, patient-centered clinical research, support, advocacy, and economic and policy research. GHLF is also a staunch advocate for vaccines. The Global Healthy Living Foundation is the parent organization of CreakyJoints®, the international, digital community for millions of people living with arthritis and their supporters worldwide who seek education, support, activism, and patient-centered research in English, Spanish, and French. In addition to arthritis and autoimmune disorders, GHLF supports dermatology, gastroenterology, neurology, cardiology, oncology, infectious disease, rare disease, and pulmonary patients through a host of different programs and activities which draw more than 700,000 patients a month to GHLF websites and create more than 10 million impressions a month on seven social media platforms. In 2024, GHLF had more than 1 million views and listens with its patient-centered audio-visual content, found on YouTube and podcast platforms. GHLF never asks the public for donations, receiving funding instead through governments, non-governmental organizations, foundations, industry, family foundations, and GHLF Co-Founder Louis Tharp. Visit www.ghlf.org for more information.
Contacts
Louis Tharp
[email protected]
845-323-8408
