NORRISTOWN, PA – It’s been a tough week in the coronavirus vaccine campaign in Montgomery County, as the country received drastically fewer doses this week, forcing it to close its vaccination clinic. But there is also good news, as the state has announced comprehensive changes that should help local suppliers distribute shots more efficiently.
The number of cases across the province is set to decline steadily, a trend that is ongoing for most of 2021. However, four more cases of the UK variant of the UK have been found in the country this week, and officials are confident the numbers are actually high. whore.
Only individuals in the 1A priority category, which includes health workers and residents over the age of 65, as well as those between 16 and 64 with severe underlying conditions, can receive a vaccine.
Due to the limited stock, it can take up to 12 weeks before you take back on the confirmation of an appointment. Do not panic; if you have pre-registered, your name is in the system.
Where do you stand in line?
In the past week, 1,300 to 2,700 new registrants have applied for a vaccine in the country every day. To determine where you are in line, you can compare the date you registered with these statistics on daily new registrants.
The waiting line becomes 153K as the clinic is temporarily closed.
The waiting list to receive a vaccine in the country now contains 153,502 pre-registered individuals in category 1A. This is an increase of about 13,000 compared to a week ago, which means that many more people enroll than are vaccinated.
The country is still dependent on supplies from the state, which has declined over the past two weeks due to a growing number of suppliers across the country (more on this below). The province’s mass vaccine at Norristown Area High School has been shut down for the rest of the week as the first doses run out. It will reopen Monday.
What is the country doing to improve the process?
To address the confusion and arouse doubt and frustration, the country has introduced some new tools.
One of these is a new hotline from COVID-19 to which residents can call and ask questions about the vaccine. It is especially considered useful for seniors in the province, who may not have access to the internet.
The number is 833-875-3967. It also includes Spanish-speaking agents and language line support for more than 100 other languages. It is in operation from Monday to Saturday from 08:00 to 20:00.
A second tool the country is launching is a weekly email blast that will be paid out to anyone pre-registered. The email will provide an update on the progress of vaccination and what registrants can expect when it’s their turn.
What is the state doing?
On Friday, the state announced significant policy changes, dramatically reducing the total number of providers who will receive vaccinations. Although the number was up to 1,700 suppliers earlier this week, officials will be ‘gradually’ reduced to around 200 to 300 in the coming weeks.
“The provider network will be limited to those who have shown success,” said Alison Beam, acting secretary of health.
Provincial health departments will be prioritized under the new scheme, meaning Montgomery County will have to expect an increase in doses in the near future.
Provincial officials continue to argue that larger providers, such as provincial health departments, can distribute the vaccine more efficiently than smaller providers. But the state believes private health care systems also have infrastructure to use. Although the number of private providers during the week will be significantly limited to the best performing healthcare systems and pharmacies, they will still play a role. “We really see this as an opportunity to get them involved further,” Beam added.
Are people cheating?
Yes, and the country is working on ways to prevent that from happening.
Because links are not unique, there have been a number of instances where an individual has posted a link to a family member, friend or even on social media. These line talkers are often not even in the 1A priority group.
The province says they are making these registration links ‘one-time’ so that if someone tries to share the link, it will not work.
Provinces across the state, including Montgomery, meet weekly with PrepMod to discuss these issues. So far no solution has been found. The software was originally designed as a registration tool for medical offices – which worked smoothly when it was mainly vaccinated medical offices in the early weeks – but it experienced problems as the vaccination program expanded.
“The problem is one that is getting bigger,” Arkoosh said.
In addition to resolving fixes, the province is also considering completely new systems to replace this one.
Who is eligible to receive the vaccine now?
Montgomery County, like the rest of Pennsylvania, remains in phase 1A of the state’s four-phase introduction of the coronavirus vaccine. Originally, this meant that the only people eligible for a vaccine were health workers and residents and employees of nursing homes and other care facilities.
The state’s new “YourTurn” online tool aims to help residents find out where they stand within the state’s vaccination priority groups.
Why can teachers and police officers still not get the vaccine?
Teachers, police officers and other essential workers are in category 1B. The state, when pressed about the issue, says they are still committed to vaccinating 1A first.
Numerous education associations in Pennsylvania, including conglomerates of school boards, rural and small schools, principals, administrators, and the State Education Association, wrote a letter to Governor Wolf this week urging school staff to be placed on priority lists for the vaccine.
‘To ensure that the men and women who teach and serve children in Pennsylvania receive the vaccination as soon as possible is absolutely essential if we are to reopen the schools of our state for personal instruction and return to normal activities when the school year 2021 -22 begins, ‘the letter reads.
The letter further notes that 26 other states are currently prioritizing school staff in the vaccination plans, but not Pennsylvania.
When will the vaccine be available to the general public?
Officials have no updated estimate of when the state may be ready to enter Phase 1B, although they have reiterated hopes previously expressed by Gov. Tom Wolf that the vaccine would be available for the spring or summer. general public.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, however, said this week on the Today’s show that April could be an “open season” for the vaccine, with the possibility that all groups would be available by that time.
There are approximately 250,000 individuals in the 1A category in Montgomery County.
Be the first to know what’s happening in your city and area. Sign up to receive Patch email and don’t miss a minute of local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe