EAST LAMPETER TOWNSHIP, LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — There is a new EMS program in Lancaster County which paramedics hope will keep patients out of the emergency room.
Community paramedics with Lancaster EMS in East Lampeter Township are making trips to people’s houses and businesses as part of the community paramedicine program.
As part of that program, paramedics are now administering at-home vaccinations, free of charge.
They say Lancaster EMS is the only EMS agency in Pennsylvania doing the at-home vaccinations.
The vaccines must be stored in temperature controlled, pharmaceutical grade refrigerators.
“It’s a lot of work, but it will be worth it,” explained Moua. “It just makes sense. Paramedics are already out in the community. There are obviously needs in the community.”
Over the past year, Moua worked extensively with the Pennsylvania Department of Health to make sure the company is up to code.
“With any new program, there is lots of T’s to be crossed and I’s that have to be dotted,” she explained.
Lancaster EMS has vaccinations for the measles, mumps, rubella, and all the other recommended childhood vaccinations.
Anyone in contact with the vaccines has to be trained.
“We meet the same requirements as your primary care physician does, so yeah, a lot of hoops,” added Moua.
Moua says it will take time to expand the program so, for now, it’s only available to kids under 19.
“It’s a little painful and scary but being able to sit there on your own couch, or at your own kitchen table with a brother or sister around, your mom holding you, it takes a little bit of the anxiety out of the equation,” explained Moua.
Right now, the program is only open to Amerihealth Caritas members, but Lancaster EMS hopes other insurance providers throughout Lancaster County will offer it to their members.
