Frustration mounts among Pennsylvania residents trying to find COVID-19 vaccine

EXTON, Pa. (WPVI) – On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Department of Health launched the “Your Turn” vaccine eligibility tool, which aims to help people understand where they fall in the vaccine priority line . However, some Pennsylvanians claim that the problem is not being able to find a vaccine.

“I tried the number they gave you first. It rang and rang and rang,” said Gigi Lewis of West Oak Lane. “He responded and then he clicked. Then I said, ‘Okay, we’re going to go online.’ (I) went online and filled out the form and was told I would be on the waitlist, someone would get back to me. Never heard from anyone, it’s been a month. “

Thousands of Pennsylvanians have joined a Facebook group called PA COVID Vaccine Match Maker, where members share tips on how to get Phase 1A individuals vaccinated.

Exton internal medicine doctor Christine Meyer set up the Facebook group and said her office had received thousands of emails and hundreds of phone calls from people pleading for the vaccine.

“There is a treatment. What they are asking for exists, and it is incredible, and it saves lives, and it is produced and in areas outside our own, it is not that difficult,” said she declared.

Meyer said members are helping each other find appointments for vaccines and share information such as when pharmacies have appointment openings.

“It’s a crowdsourced area where people just post their tips and tricks for success,” Meyer said.

6abc Action News found the latest vaccine issues:

Pennsylvania

– 1,049,609 people received their first dose
– 302,639 people received their second dose

New Jersey

– 842,971 people received their first dose
– 242,362 people received their second dose

Delaware

– 126,615 people received a vaccine (no additional data)

Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr Thomas Farley said on Tuesday things were improving.

“This week we are receiving 10,700 doses of Pfizer vaccine and the Moderna vaccine allocation is 14,400, down from just over 10,000 previously,” said Farley.

Farley said the city of Philadelphia was unwilling to create a drive-thru vaccination site in stadiums because residents of Delaware and New Jersey would benefit from the site. In the past, Mayor Jim Kenney has said that a drive-thru vaccination site limits residents who do not have a car.

The federal government has also given Pennsylvania more than $ 1.6 million to establish mass vaccination sites.