How One Small Pennsylvania Pharmacy is vaccinating Thousands
I met Dr. Mayank Amin, known to his patients as Dr. Mak, at Skippack Pharmacy in Schwenksville, Pennsylvania in early February 2021 when he held a vaccination clinic after hours for pregnant women for Reuters. Dr. Mayank Amin is known as a local superhero in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania for distributing thousands of vaccines as a small independent pharmacist. Amin regularly burns the midnight oil vaccinating high-risk groups such as minors with critical health conditions, fielding thousands of emails and calls, and reading personal stories of those in need of a vaccine to give if he has any leftover. The 36-year-old currently lives in Lansdale, Pennsylvania with his parents to be close to the pharmacy while his wife lives in Piscataway, New Jersey with their infant son and her family. He travels to New Jersey when he can take time off but has missed ultrasounds, parenting classes, and the ability to house hunt for their family as he spends the majority of his time working. These images are taken throughout Amin's journey in 2021.
Dr. Mayank Amin draws the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at a clinic ran by Skippack Pharmacy in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, March 7, 2021.
Dr. Mayank Amin feels his wife's Payal Amin's belly for a kick from his son at his wife's parents home in Piscataway, New Jersey, February 28, 2021.
Michelle Melton, who is 35 weeks pregnant, receives the Pfizer coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine at Skippack Pharmacy in Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, U.S., February 11, 2021.
Dr. Mayank Amin applies a Tilak Chandlo, a symbol of his faith BAPS Swaminarayan, during his morning puja (daily ritual) at his parents' home in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, U.S., February 27, 2021.
Vials of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine defrost on the counter at Skippack Pharmacy February 26, 2021. Picture taken February 26, 2021.
Dr. Mayank Amin gives Donald B. Williams, a 101-year-old homebound patient, a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, U.S., April 29, 2021. Picture taken April, 29, 2021.
Dr. Mayank Amin eats breakfast with his mother, Rashmika Amin, at his parent's home before heading to work at Skippack Pharmacy in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, U.S., February 27, 2021. Picture taken February 27, 2021.
Dr. Mayank Amin opens the door of Nancy Higgins's basement to surprise her with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in Trappe, Pennsylvania, February 27, 2021.
Dr. Mayank Amin holds a note from his wife during his morning puja (daily ritual) at his parent's home in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, U.S., February 27, 2021. Picture taken February 27, 2021.
Dr. Mayank Amin administers the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine to Evan Schuster, 7, in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, U.S., November 6, 2021.
Dr. Mayank Amin and his family offer devotion at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, New Jersey, U.S., February 28, 2021. Picture taken February 28, 2021.
Naomi Jones, 7, receives the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine while being held by her mother in Skippack, Pennsylvania, U.S., November 3, 2021.
Dr. Mayank Amin arrives at his parents' home after working at Skippack Pharmacy in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, February 26, 2021.
Dr. Mayank Amin's superman costume hangs in the storage room at Skippack Pharmacy in Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, U.S., March 6, 2021. Picture taken March 6, 2021.