Pennsylvania's bipartisan COVID-19 task force was only a few days past its first meeting when it was told of the vaccine distribution mistake that is now expected to cause a ripple effect across the state.
Pennsylvania's Department of Health announced Wednesday that several vaccine providers had inadvertently used thousands of second doses of the Moderna shot as first doses. The mishap is expected to delay appointments and push back the time period in which others receive their second shot.
"I was very stunned. I guess that would be the best way to describe it. And, disappointed," said task force member Senator Art Haywood of the Senate Democratic Caucus.
The task force was told about the problem on Monday and immediately worked to find solutions.
"If we're guaranteeing that second dose, we're also asking the citizens to trust the fact that it will be there," said Rep. Tim O'Neal of the House Republican Caucus who also sits on the task force.
SCROLL BELOW TO HEAR BOTH SEN. HAYWOOD AND REP. O'NEAL DISCUSS SOME OF THE TOP ISSUES FACING THE STATE'S VACCINE ROLLOUT
The mistake was announced in the same week that vaccine providers were already scrambling to meet a Friday deadline to implement new rules by the state meant to ease vaccine distribution and free up appointments. Those rules include requiring vaccine providers to create both a phone line and a website in which people may schedule appointments.
"This whole thing from day one has been an exercise in adaptability and flexibility right?" said Chadd Blannett of HersheyCare.
Blannett said HersheyCare recognized early on in the rollout that it would need to implement technology for people to make appointments online and through the phone. "It's been a lot of manual work and a lot of labor internally."
Blannett noted the mishap announced earlier this week by the state did not directly impact HersheyCare and that so far it has received all of its promised second doses from the state.
"Are we concerned about the second doses? No, we haven't had to do anything yet in cancelling appointments for second doses. But are we concerned? Sure," he said.
When FOX43 asked Blannett how he hoped the task force would assist providers like him, he said he hoped they would "make sure we're involved in the process of how these regulations and decisions are getting rolled out."
He added providing more clarity on when vaccine deliveries are happening and how many doses each vaccine provider is receiving would also be helpful although he noted the state is working hard to stay in contact with providers.
LISTEN TO BOTH SEN. HAYWOOD AND REP. O'NEAL DISCUSS SOME OF THE TOP ISSUES FACING THE STATE'S VACCINATION ROLLOUT
On the mistake & people distrusting the rollout
When will things get better?
How's the task force going?