Do you need help scheduling a COVID-19 vaccine? Do you not have access to a computer? Or, do medical or other issues make you unable to schedule a vaccination by yourself? There are places to turn for help.
Finding a COVID-19 vaccine remains difficult in Pennsylvania as 1.9 million vaccines have been distributed to the state. Nearly 4 million people are eligible for the vaccine just in Phase 1A of the rollout. Because every person needs two doses, that brings the amount of doses needed to 8 million.
Expanded eligibility in Phase 1A opened vaccinations to people 65 and over. However, some seniors and others who qualify for the vaccine note that they do not have access to a computer or have health issues that limit their ability to use the technology.
So how can people find help in scheduling a COVID-19 vaccination? FOX43 asked top state officials for answers, including the PA Department of Aging and the Department of Health.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A COMPUTER
- If possible, find a computer and internet access at your closest local library. Locations such as the Middletown Public Library told FOX43 people don't even need to have a library card if they are coming in specifically to use the computers to try to schedule their vaccinations.
- Contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health hotline with questions:
1-877-724-3258
- Find help from your local county aging agency. Find your local area agency on aging here or by calling:
717-783-1550
- PACE Card holders can contact:
1-800-225-7223
- PA Link (Pennsylvania Link to Aging and Disability Resource Center):
1-800-753-8827
Jack Eilber, spokesperson for the PA Department of Aging told FOX43, "local Area Agencies on Aging are assisting older adults, particularly those without online access, with navigating the Department of Health’s vaccine map and helping them locate nearby providers and make vaccine appointments."
However, with so many people looking for the vaccine many people searching for an appointment have reported clogged phone lines.
FOX43 reached back out to Pennsylvania's Department of Aging on February 12th to ask them the top questions they are receiving from seniors and the answers that they are providing to them. Spokesperson Karen Gray said "we know that older adults trying to obtain a vaccine are concerned about how to obtain an appointment if they are not web-savvy and/or do not have a computer – what is the best way for them to navigate the system to determine the provider near them that has vaccine available, and can they get some help doing that so that they feel they are making progress toward getting a vaccination. Our information and referral phone counselors are listening, helping to assess each caller’s situation and the best way to help them chart a path. Given the extremely limited supply of vaccine, we don’t have instant answers, but we are working to help level the playing field for these older adults, one call at a time."
FOX43 reached out to several local aging agencies and senior centers that said their phone lines have been clogged with calls since the press conference.
2/12/21: FROM A SPOKESPERSON AT DAUPHIN COUNTY'S AGENCY ON AGING:
"The lack of vaccine supply limits us and local agencies across the state from scheduling vaccination appointments for residents. However, we are doing all we can to provide the resources available and vaccine opportunities, that includes a list of all vaccination sites in the area. Our call volume has increased significantly – by about 30 percent in recent days – and, understandably, there is frustration on the other end of the line. As the Governor outlined, supply is nowhere close to being able to meet the demands of about 4 million Pennsylvanians in Phase 1A. Again, the Department of Health is controlling the allocations of doses and we are constantly staying tuned to developments and are transmitting that information to our residents in need. The PALink and PACE call lines provide additional options for residents without internet access."
IF YOU HAVE ACCESS TO A COMPUTER
- Click this link to access the state's COVID-19 vaccine provider list. Click 'where can I get vaccinated?' Take the 'eligibility' quiz to find out if you are eligible.
- Scroll down to the map. In the upper left hand corner of the map, type your zip code or home address to find a location near you. Hover the mouse over the dots to find information on how to contact individual vaccination providers to inquire if vaccines are still available at the locations.
- The Dept of Aging said the commonwealth has a guide to help a person find their eligibility for a COVID vaccine and to find out how to get one. The guide is available here.
-VaccinatePA is working to help people find vaccines in their community. Get their help here and read more about it below:
HOW TO READ THE COVID-19 VACCINATION PROVIDER MAP PROVIDED BY THE STATE
- As mentioned above, once you access the state's vaccination provider map at this link, you will want to pick a location on the map that is closest to you.
- Each individual vaccination provider has its own rules on how vaccine appointments can be requested. Hover over the dots provided near your location to learn contact information for each location. Vaccine providers are listing either email addresses, websites, or phone numbers in which to schedule a vaccine. Due to the overwhelming demand and fluctuating doses and deliveries of the vaccine, many providers do not have appointments available. Therefore, you may need to contact several locations to find an appointment. Follow the instructions listed by each individual provider.
- What happened to the green and red dots on the map?
The PA Department of Health's original vaccination provider map listed a series of green and red dots, green indicating which locations had doses available and which did not. Recently, the PA Department of Health's website changed to make all of the green and red dots blue.
Barry Ciccocioppo, COVID Press Secretary said in part, "in many cases only the providers know IF they have appointments available or not. Now we have eliminated any false hope that the color of the dot was an assurance that vaccine was available there."
Spokesperson Maggi Barton for the PA Dept of Health added: "We are continually working to improve the resources available to connect people to vaccine providers to schedule a vaccination appointment. The use of blue dots indicates where there are enrolled vaccine providers. Because in many cases only the providers know if they have appointments available or not, we felt that this change would be the best representation for the public. Anyone seeking to schedule an appointment should check with the provider to see if they have vaccine and appointments available."