HARRISBURG, PA — As cold and flu season approaches, the Shapiro Administration is ramping up efforts to promote COVID-19 and flu vaccination, emphasizing that shots remain free and widely available across Pennsylvania.
On Thursday, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen and Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys visited See-Right Pharmacy in Harrisburg to reinforce public confidence in vaccine safety and access. Both officials received updated COVID-19 vaccines during the visit, part of a broader push to ensure Pennsylvanians have reliable, evidence-based guidance as respiratory viruses circulate this winter.
“Vaccines for COVID-19 and the flu are readily available to everyone older than six months of age,” said Dr. Bogen. “The vaccines boost your body’s natural defenses against these viruses. As a physician, I strongly encourage all Pennsylvanians to stay up to date on their vaccinations to protect against severe illness from COVID-19 and flu before gathering with family and friends this holiday season.”
The event followed Governor Josh Shapiro’s recent executive order establishing a state-based vaccine safety net and reaffirming that all recommended vaccines must remain covered by both private insurance and Medicaid. The directive also called for a centralized vaccine information portal and a Vaccine Education Workgroup to counter misinformation and strengthen communication between state agencies, providers, and the public.
Commissioner Humphreys said health insurance coverage remains a cornerstone of the state’s vaccine strategy. “Access to COVID-19 vaccines remains an effective tool to protect our communities and keep Pennsylvanians healthy,” he said. “We want Pennsylvanians to know that health insurance plans will cover the recommended vaccine at no cost, so no one should face a financial barrier to getting protected.”
The administration’s proactive stance comes amid mixed public perceptions following recent federal advisory meetings that generated uncertainty about vaccine recommendations. To address this, Pennsylvania’s Department of Health issued updated guidance, formally endorsed by the State Boards of Medicine, Nursing, and Osteopathic Medicine. The move ensures consistency in how doctors, pharmacists, and nurses communicate vaccine safety and access to patients statewide.
Pharmacists, who often serve as the most accessible health professionals, are expected to play a key role. “We want our patients to have the most protection possible from circulating respiratory viruses, and vaccination is the best way to protect yourself,” said Paul Bowers, PharmD, Pharmacy Manager at See-Right Pharmacy. “Pharmacists are ready to address any questions or concerns patients may have about any vaccinations, seasonal or otherwise.”
A Broader Public Health Context
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 500 adults and 55 children in Pennsylvania were hospitalized due to COVID-19 in a single week this past September, and more than 1,200 deaths were recorded during the 2024–2025 respiratory virus season.
By reaffirming free access to COVID-19 and flu vaccines — including through local health centers and the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program — the Shapiro Administration aims to prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed and to protect high-risk groups such as seniors and those with underlying conditions.
For Pennsylvanians, the message is clear: updated vaccines remain safe, effective, and essential for community health. As respiratory virus activity rises, broad vaccination coverage could help reduce severe illness, protect healthcare capacity, and prevent unnecessary deaths — reinforcing the role of public health coordination at both the state and community levels.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.