Geisinger is now offering COVID-19 vaccine appointments to anyone ages 12 and over.  Vaccine appointments can be scheduled for anyone age 12 and over at one of Geisinger’s four community vaccine centers. Anyone under 18 years old must have a parent or legal guardian with them to receive their vaccine doses.  Appointments can be made through myGeisinger or by calling 570-284-3657.  More information about the COVID-19 vaccine, including information for parents of newly eligible children, is available here.

The Pennsylvania Senate has adopted a plan by Senator Judy Ward (R-30) that will allow thousands of Pennsylvanians to retain eligibility for PACE and PACENET.  PACE and PACENET are the state’s prescription drug assistance programs that provide life-sustaining medications to 257,000 seniors.  Eligibility for the programs is based on income. The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2021 could result in almost 5,100 cardholders to exceed the income eligibility limits, meaning those seniors will lose their benefits.  Senate Bill 323 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is urging Governor Tom Wolf to allow businesses to fully reopen on Friday, May 28th rather than Monday, May 31st.  Pennsylvania NFIB Director Greg Moreland says, “No sector of the economy has experienced the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic more than our small business community, which employs more than 2 million workers statewide.” Moreland said his organization is thankful that Governor Wolf has provided a definitive timeline for fully resuming business operations, but is asking the governor to allow businesses to fully reopen prior to the Memorial Day weekend.