Pennsylvania has started to vaccinate against COVID-19 and is working to expand eligibility to more groups of people. Supplies are extremely limited, so we must prioritize who gets vaccinated first — starting with those most at risk of catching COVID and experiencing complications...
OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM PA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH: The Pennsylvania Department of Health is working to ensure everyone who wants to get the COVID-19 vaccine can get it. While the vaccine supply remains limited, our goals are to prioritize vaccinating people to provide maximum community benefits and minimize harms caused by the virus and prioritize vaccinations accordingly. We want to ensure the vaccine is provided in a way that is ethical, equitable and efficient, which is why Pennsylvania is taking a phased approach to provide the vaccine as fast as it can be manufactured...
Since the initial news of the Commonwealth’s plans for phased distribution of COVID-19 vaccinations was reported in December, PVMA has been continually trying to get information regarding the veterinary profession’s status in the plan. Early on, the Department of Health told us that veterinarians were in Phase 1B. As far as we know, that has not changed, but we are increasingly concerned that we are no longer getting updates or answers for our requests for clarification. These are the questions we are asking the Department of Health and the Governor’s Office. Are...
PVMA has confirmed that veterinarians* will be included in Phase 1B of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout, along with other healthcare providers and essential workers who are not in Phase 1A. The state Vaccine Task Force is currently planning the logistics for this new round of vaccinations. PVMA will keep veterinary professionals informed of any updates; however, details on Phase 1B are expected to be released the week of January 11, 2021. * We can only confirm that veterinarians are in Phase 1B, but we are working to clarify if the rest of...
When might veterinarians expect to be offered the opportunity to be vaccinated? Access to COVID‐19 vaccines is determined at the state, territorial, and local levels, so the answer varies by location...
The laws and regulations of 22 of the 29 licensing boards and commissions overseen by the Department of State's Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA) impose continuing education (CE) requirements of varying scope and magnitude on the various occupations/professions that BPOA regulates. Broadly stated, CE is delivered in one of two ways: (1) traditional, in-person instruction; and (2) online education or "distance learning." The laws and regulations of some of these boards impose restrictions or place limitations on the number or percentage of online/distance hours that may be applied towards...
Congress has passed a fourth COVID-19 relief bill and a comprehensive spending package to fund the government for the remainder of fiscal year (FY) 2021. These packages include many of AVMA’s top advocacy priorities, including fixing the unfavorable IRS tax treatment of expenses paid with Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, streamlined PPP loan forgiveness for loans of up to $150,000, up to $20 million for animal health infrastructure’s role in the COVID-19 response, AVMA-led One Health report language, and funding for key federal programs important to veterinary medicine...
Quarantine Orders Issued: Prohibition of Rendering of Domestic Animals Euthanized with Pentobarbital Effective November 21, 2020 Two quarantine orders have been issued from the PA Department of Agriculture that will take effect tomorrow. This notice was vetted with the North American Renders Association and veterinary professional organizations and is deemed critical to protect safety of animals consuming render products, and domestic animals and wildlife that may scavenge euthanized carcasses that are not disposed of properly. These quarantine orders establish a shared responsibility of all of those euthanizing and handling carcasses of animals...
The Pennsylvania Departments of Agriculture and Health recently confirmed that a 16-year-old cat in Cumberland County tested positive for COVID-19. The companion animal lived in a household with multiple individuals who had previously been diagnosed with COVID-19 and was in close contact with these individuals. Unfortunately, the cat was humanely euthanized due to its respiratory distress. Its primary cause of death is still under investigation. This is one of eight confirmed COVID-19 positive cats in the United States and, to this point, none appear to have died of COVID-19. The Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical...
On October 20, 2020, the Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee discussed the PA Dog Law and animal welfare issues during a Capitol hearing. In summary, PVMA absolutely opposes overbreeding, inhumane breeding of dogs, as well as breeders that are acting illegally. PVMA opposes SB 44 (Victoria’s Law) and supports SB 1267. Dr. Mary Jane McNamee, PVMA's Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Committee Chair, explained that rather than add another law on the books that does little to nothing to stop puppy mills and increases enforcement for the Dog Law Bureau, which is...
