Pennsylvania's Department of Health weighed in on questions Friday over why the state has not yet set up a standardized system to sign up for a COVID-19 shot as confusion and frustration continues among many people anxious for the vaccine.
Currently, the state has provided a website to take an eligibility quiz and to navigate a map with multiple blue dots that indicate vaccine providers that may have the shots available. However, many people have expressed frustration in trying to find a provider through this method as it takes time to wade through each individual provider's sign up process, sometimes only to be denied any available time slots for a vaccine.
Why doesn't Pennsylvania have a centralized vaccination registration list?
Pennsylvania's Department of Health was asked Friday why it has not yet worked towards setting up a centralized vaccination registration that would allow people to sign up for a wait list, rather than having to search through multiple providers for the vaccine. Because there is not a centralized registration, many people have signed up for multiple waiting lists at multiple providers.
“Definitely we’ve heard some of those frustrations ourselves. Again, I think the issue here is limited supply. We continue to work with that and continue to work with our partners in the federal government... to help mitigate that. As we do that, we just ask folks again to stay patient to make sure they keep that second dose appointment and just stay aware as we move forward. And again wear your mask, wash up, and practice social distancing," said PA Dept. of Health Senior Advisor Lindsey Mauldin.
Will Pennsylvania hold mass vaccination clinics?
Pennsylvania's Dept. of Health said Friday that PEMA is currently considering a mass vaccination clinic strategy and is working through planning to implement it.
When asked how other states have been able to hold mass vaccination clinics but not Pennsylvania Mauldin noted "every state is different" as far as geography, population and needs.
But when pressed further to be specific on what was holding up the process, Mauldin noted "it is the limited supply" of vaccine.
Second Doses of the Vaccine
The PA Dept. of Health is now telling vaccine providers not to hold back second doses of the vaccine for patients.
"I would like to stress to all providers that the second dose of vaccine for your patient is secure. The second dose of the vaccine is essential and we are ensuring for anyone who gets a first dose today that there will be a second dose delivered to that provider in time for your second appointment. Providers do not have to set aside the first dose that they receive to ensure that there is a second dose. We have purposely included your second dose into our allocation strategy because it is essential that Pennsylvanians are fully vaccinated," said Mauldin.