A new UPMC website and phone number allows people to sign up to receive notification and schedule an appointment when COVID-19 vaccine is available, although appointments are not scheduled immediately.
However, UPMC said it encourages people to sign up so they can make an appointment quickly when the vaccine is available.
“The vaccine supply from the state and the federal government is still limited, but by registering now, we will be able to contact you about the appointment of an appointment when vaccine is available. Be patient – we want to vaccinate as many people as possible and will do so quickly as soon as we receive the Pennsylvania State Vaccine vaccine. “There is no other way to get a vaccine than the Commonwealth, and vaccinating the public will take weeks to months, not days,” UPMC said.
People can find more information and register here. UPMC said the vaccine is available to patients as well as non-patients. People who prefer to register by phone can call 844-876-2822 on any day between 07:00 and 19:00.
UPMC has the same deficit that affects most, if not all other health systems and pharmacies. While tens of thousands of Pennsylvania residents make appointments and are vaccinated every week, a huge backlog quickly arose after Pennsylvania expanded its vaccine admissions policy on Jan. 19. Some providers have stopped accepting requests for new appointments.
The York-based WellSpan, for example, recently said it has a backlog of about 45,000 people looking for appointments.
The good news is that the vaccination of health workers, who have so far received a large share of the stock, is declining, leaving more vaccination for others.
Pennsylvania’s allocation of vaccine, which is distributed by the federal government, is also increasing.
Last week, Pennsylvania received 183,575 first doses and 143,275 second doses.
As of Monday, Pennsylvania has received about 3 million doses since the vaccine became available shortly before Christmas. About 632,000 people received the two doses needed for full protection.
About 4 million Pennsylvania residents are part of Phase 1A for vaccine reception, which includes health care workers, long-term caregivers, all 65 and older, and people aged 16-64 with chronic medical conditions.