Drawing a map is not always helpful.
An example of this was the map of Pennsylvania with places that presumably have a COVID-19 vaccine. The state Department of Health map used green dots to indicate which providers had it in stock.
But after Pennsylvania asked for the lock on the vaccine two weeks ago by enrolling everyone over 65 and many others immediately, the map went nowhere for many Pennsylvaniaers.
In some places marked with a green dot, the offer was only for local health care providers. In others, doses available to non-health workers were quickly demanded. Due to the crippling number of calls, many places became unreachable.
Now the state has removed the green and red spots indicating the status of the vaccine supply. As of Tuesday afternoon, it contains only blue dots.
The blue dots indicate suppliers that are part of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution program. In most places, people can click on the point to find contact information.
‘The use of blue spots indicates where there are registered vaccine providers. Because only the providers in many cases know whether there are appointments available or not, we felt that this change would be the best representation for the public. “Anyone who wants to plan an appointment should check with the provider to see if there is a vaccine and appointments,” State Health spokesman Barry Ciccocioppo said Tuesday afternoon.
Others have said that the best way to get as close to the front of the vaccine as possible is to stay in close contact with your doctor.
Approximately 4 million Pennsylvania residents are eligible for COVID-19 vaccine, which is available to people 65 and older and people 16-64 years with chronic medical conditions.
Yet the number of green dots – or at least green dots that stay green for a long time – is likely to remain small for weeks.
Pennsylvania is expecting about 160,000 doses this week for people receiving their first dose. The state receives an additional amount for people who received their first dose three weeks ago.
Some of the 160,000 doses are reserved for health workers, although most have been vaccinated, and health care providers such as major health systems are about to make more of their grants available to non-health workers.
Another portion of the 160,000 doses goes to people living in long-term care facilities. Government officials expect it to take until about the end of February to finish vaccinating them.
State health officials hope the federal government’s vaccine supply will grow significantly by this week. The math makes it clear that it will take many weeks to vaccinate all eligible Pennsylvaniaers.
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