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Philadelphia on Thursday unveiled an official form for residents and employers to indicate interest in the COVID-19 vaccination.
This new registry is the first actually managed by the city’s Department of Public Health. Its launch comes just weeks after a company called Philly Fighting COVID opened a similar portal that was apparently linked to the city. The Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium also has a registration form, just like Acme Markets.
Contrary to what officials indicated earlier this week, the health department will work with the organizations to ensure that the information is consolidated into one central database.
The City Portal is basically your opportunity to tell Philadelphia officials that you want to get vaccinated as soon as you can. This is not an official registration for a vaccination appointment, and it does not retain your place in the queue.
Due to the limited vaccination, it can take weeks or months before you are notified that an appointment is available. You may not even hear back for a while.
Here’s a look at what we know about the vaccine registry situation and what’s still unclear.
How will I know when I am eligible to receive the vaccine?
There is currently no timeline for when different groups of Philadelphians will be eligible for the vaccine. But if you enter in the city’s register, you must be notified when it’s your turn.
When will the city’s vaccine register be used?
Health Commissioner, dr. Thomas Farley, only announced the registration for the city on Wednesday, January 19th. It was launched two days later, on Thursday, January 21st.
How do I sign in?
The portal is located at phila.gov/vaccineinterest.
It is available in Spanish and English, but only accessible to people with an internet connection.
What about people who do not have internet or a smartphone?
The city plans to reach out to populations not connected to the internet, Farley said, but for now, the registration is only online.
What happens after I sign up?
Nothing right away. You only register to, according to Farley, ‘give interest out of it’ to be vaccinated. The online portal does not offer an appointment or even a general timeline.
Finally, the registry should notify you when you are able to receive the vaccine.
Wait, but I thought I’m already registered for something?
You may have. The organization Philly Fighting COVID opened a vaccine registry and began distributing doses in the Pennsylvania Convention Center a few weeks ago. But it is run independently and separately from the city’s register.
So, what’s the relationship between the city and Philly Fighting COVID?
The Department of Health has so far provided approximately 1,000 doses per week to the PFC vaccination site, but has no oversight of its registration system. This is similar to the relationship between the city and the Black Doctors’ Consortium and Acme Markets and other pharmacies authorized to give the vaccine.
Do I have to register for both? What about the other registers?
According to the city’s announcement, health department officials will work with other “pre-registration” websites to make sure they have access to the information already collected by other organizations.
It is unclear whether there is an advantage to joining the groups, as these are the ones who will administer vaccines. The city of Philadelphia gives no direct shots.
Is my data secure?
Data collected by the city form is stored at the same level as the other health information maintained by the Department of Public Health, the city said. For other registers it is unclear what security measures are being taken.
I am an essential employee. How do I enter?
The city register contains subjects that you can mark to indicate that you are an essential worker.
How long will it take me to hear back about my appointment with the vaccine?
Farley said those who register with the city are unlikely to hear for weeks, or not months back. PFC is almost on the same timeline, and its website says doses will run out over the next few months.
When will I actually be vaccinated?
The city does not yet have a specific timeline for vaccinations. But we do know the order in which Philadelphians are expected to be vaccinated. Here is an outline.
Who will administer the vaccines?
The city has submitted a request for proposals for potential vaccine clinics. So stay tuned for more information on this.
Meanwhile, the PFC clinic is already underway in the conference center. Hospitals, healthcare systems and pharmacies also distribute doses, and the Black Doctors’ Consortium operates vaccines at various community centers.
Some large employers who have medical facilities will also give shots, according to Farley. He also indicated that people with chronic conditions should eventually be able to get the vaccination through their doctors, but it is unclear when this will happen.
“There’s no reason to call your personal health care provider to make an appointment,” the city’s announcement said.
WHY health reporter Nina Feldman and Max Marin of Billy Penn reported.