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It’s still unclear when the next phase of the coronavirus vaccination will begin in Pennsylvania, but those who wait can now sign up to receive alerts to be contacted when updates are released.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced the launch of this new “It’s Your Turn” tool during a vaccine update briefing on Tuesday.
Posted on health.pa.gov, the tool asks users to answer screening questions to determine their phase of immunization, including date of birth, job category, and whether they have high-risk conditions.
Those who are not eligible for the current phase known as 1A have the option to enter an email and phone number to contact.
In 1A, the vaccine is limited to healthcare workers, residents 65 years of age and older, and younger people with serious health conditions that make them more vulnerable to serious illness or death.
More than 4 million residents of the state are eligible for the 1A vaccine, which means 8 million doses will be needed to fully immunize them with the two required doses, reiterated Lindsey Mauldin, senior advisor for the Department of Health of State, during Tuesday’s virtual briefing.
The state has so far received 2.4 million doses from the federal government, Mauldin said.
On Tuesday, the first doses were given to at least 1.05 million, while another more than 302,640 received the required two doses.
Mauldin said she could not set a firm date for the launch of 1B as it depends on the amount of vaccine supplied by the federal government, with demand currently far exceeding supply here and nationally.
Phase 1B includes law enforcement, emergency service personnel, correctional officers, clergy and transit workers, grocery stores, education, manufacturing, the U.S. Postal Service, and childcare and collective care facilities that were not part of 1A.
Mauldin stressed that providers who administer the vaccine should not withhold the first doses to ensure the second is available because the state will ensure all necessary second doses are allocated.
Residents without Internet access can contact 1-877-PA-HEALTH to determine vaccine eligibility and to receive contact information for providers who administer the vaccine near them.
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