Giant Eagle and the Steelers are partnering to host a multi-day COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Heinz Field March 2-5. Thousands of appointments are going to be available and starting today you can register through Giant Eagle’s online scheduling tool.

If you don’t have Internet access you can call: 1-877-288-2070 starting on Monday.

In order to get vaccinated at the clinic, patients must have an appointment and qualify under the state’s Phase 1A criteria. Patients should plan to arrive to the PNC Champions Club 15 minutes before their scheduled time. A mask or face covering is required to get inside. Patients will also need a valid form of identification and should bring their medical insurance information. Parking will be available in Gold Lot 1.

(File Photo)

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro and U.S. Attorney Scott Brady today announced that the former administrator of Mount Lebanon Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, a sister nursing home to Brighton, has been indicted on federal charges. The charges are the result of a joint investigation in the federal grand jury, which alleges that the administrator directed employees to falsify records to give the appearance that the facility met federal and state staffing requirements. The administrator, Susan Gilbert, 60, is being charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, health care fraud, and obstruction of a federal audit. This investigation is ongoing.

“These crimes put facility residents at risk by only providing a dangerously low amount of nursing staff just before COVID began to surge across the country,” said AG Shapiro. “By filing these false reports, the facility met minimum staffing levels only on paper — while Pennsylvanians who depended on them to care for their well-being didn’t have enough people to turn to. Our ongoing investigation will hold nursing and long-term care facilities criminally accountable wherever we find evidence someone neglected a resident. If you have information about a potential crime, contact my office at neglect-COVID@attorneygeneral.gov.”

According to the indictment, from October 10, 2018 through February 20, 2020, Gilbert conspired with others to defraud Pennsylvania of money and property by impeding, impairing, obstructing, defeating, and interfering with the lawful governmental functions of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services in the administration of Medicare and Pennsylvania Medicaid; committed health care fraud; and obstructed a federal auditor. 

The indictment alleges that Gilbert was the administrator of a skilled nursing home, Mount Lebanon Rehabilitation and Wellness Center (MLRWC), located in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. MLRWC is part of an ownership structure that owns multiple long-term care facilities in Pennsylvania, including Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center.

“These criminal charges represent the first step in holding accountable those who put profit over the health and safety of seniors,” said U.S. Attorney Brady.  “From 2018-2020, Gilbert and co-conspirators deprived seniors of patient care using inflated nursing hours, falsified timecards and other schemes that they concealed with two sets of records.  We will continue to pursue every lead until justice has been achieved for seniors and their families in western Pennsylvania.”

In addition, the indictment alleges several schemes utilized in the conspiracy:

• Gilbert and/or other co-conspirators directed administrative and management-level nursing staff, including, among others, the Director of Nursing, the Assistant Director of Nursing, and other administrative staff, to “clock in” for shifts but not actually work.  In doing so, MLRWC created falsified timecard documentation that made it appear as though these individuals were providing direct resident care, when in fact they were not in the building and therefore not providing direct resident care;
• Gilbert and/or other co-conspirators caused management-level nursing staff to be paid monetary bonuses to “clock in” for shifts they did not actually work;
• Gilbert and/or other co-conspirators directed MLRWC staff not to clock in and out when they left the facility for their 30-minute lunch breaks.  In doing so, MLRWC created falsified timecard documentation that made it appear as though these individuals were providing direct resident care during their lunch breaks, even when they were not in the building and not providing direct resident care;
• Gilbert and/or other co-conspirators directed MLRWC staff to include the hours worked by management-level nursing staff and other administrative staff on three-week staffing sheets provided to DOH, when in fact those employees did not provide direct resident care during the dates and hours listed;
• Gilbert and/or other co-conspirators caused administrative staff to keep two sets of books reflecting staffing levels.  One book contained accurate information regarding the actual hours nursing staff provided direct resident care while the other contained falsified information that made it appear as though MLRWC had higher staffing levels;
• Gilbert and/or co-conspirators directed administrative staff to provide the falsified staffing documents to DOH investigators during the course of federally mandated inspections to make it appear as though MLRWC met federal and state mandated staffing requirements; and
• Gilbert and/or other co-conspirators engaged in the above-described acts in order to make it appear as though the facility was in compliance with the conditions of participation for Medicare and PA Medicaid, including the condition that the facility had “sufficient” nursing staff to meet residents’ needs and that the facility was operating and providing services in compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and codes.

Gilbert could face up to ten years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. 

Agents from the Office of Attorney General Medicaid Fraud Control Section investigated the case in collaboration with partners at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, and the Criminal Investigation section of the Internal Revenue Service.

Assistant United States Attorneys Robert S. Cessar and Karen Gal-Or are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. All charges are accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Center Twp., Pa.) BCTA    and DART   is providing free transportation to those  going to and from vaccination sites beginning March 1, 2021 and ending December 31, 2021, according to  Mary Jo Morandini, General manager.  Passengers on the fixed routes should provide the driver with a document showing the time, date, and location of the appointment.

PITTSBURGH (Feb. 25, 2021) – Continuing with Allegheny Health Network’s (AHN) and Highmark Health’s commitment to expanding access to COVID-19 vaccinations for residents of the greater western Pennsylvania community, AHN will host large-scale, first-dose COVID-19 vaccination clinics today and tomorrow at PNC Park.

A total of more than 6,000 patients who fall in the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Phase 1A have already been pre-registered to receive the vaccine at these two clinics. The clinics are open only to those who have already been scheduled to receive the vaccine. No walk-ins will be accepted.

The AHN vaccine clinics will be held in the Home Plate Club at PNC Park. ALCO Parking is providing parking for vaccine recipients at no cost in its nearby lots.

As part of AHN’s efforts to reach all members of the community with the vaccine, a number of deaf individuals will be vaccinated at this Friday’s clinic and will be guided through the experience by seven sign language interpreters from Sign Language Interpreting Professionals.

Following these two clinics, AHN will have vaccinated more than 12,000 individuals at PNC Park – all of whom will return to the ballpark to receive their second dose of the vaccine. Recipients who received the vaccine at the first clinic at PNC Park, held on February 6, will return this Saturday to receive their second dose. Recipients at tomorrow’s and Friday’s clinics will return on March 18 and 19.

With the continuing limited supply of the COVID-19 vaccine, AHN is currently holding appointment-only vaccination clinics. As vaccine supply is available for scheduling, high-risk patients who have an AHN MyChart account will be alerted, and the Network will activate its online scheduling portal (ahn.org/coronavirus/vaccine) for those who are eligible to receive the vaccine based on the Department of Health’s eligibility phases. To ensure both speed an equitable distribution of the vaccine, AHN will continue to target the most vulnerable populations, including marginalized communities which have been most acutely impacted by the pandemic.

WHAT:

Two appointment-only COVID-19 vaccination clinics for more than 6,000 ‘Phase 1A’ patients who have pre-registered to receive the vaccine. Note that this event is not open to those who have not pre-registered.

WHEN:

TODAY, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021 and TOMORROW, Friday, Feb. 26, 2021

8 AM – 4 PM

WHO:

• More than 3,000 eligible patients will receive a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at each clinic on Thursday and Friday
• Imran Qadeer, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Allegheny General Hospital

Governor Wolf Unveils Workforce and Economic Development Plan to Get Pennsylvania Back to Work 

Harrisburg, PA – The COVID-19 global pandemic has significantly affected Pennsylvania workers, businesses and communities. To bolster economic recovery efforts and position Pennsylvania for economic growth, Governor Tom Wolf today unveiled his “Back to Work PA” plan.

“Pennsylvania needs a comprehensive, forward-thinking plan to jumpstart our economy and support our workforce,” Gov. Wolf said. “Back to Work PA will make strategic and comprehensive investments to build a stronger and more diverse workforce, support Pennsylvania businesses while attracting businesses to the commonwealth, and assist communities with economic recovery efforts – all of which will help us get back on track and build a brighter future for Pennsylvania.”

Back to Work PA builds on recommendations from the Keystone Economic Development and Workforce Command Center’s annual report, published in January 2020. Refocusing Restore PA, Back to Work PA would be funded by a commonsense extraction tax on the natural gas industry, which would allow for an injection of $3 billion to enhance existing initiatives and create new, innovative programs to address barriers that are holding back our workforce.

Invest in Our Workforce to Support a Fair and Equitable Economic Recovery
To build a stronger and more diverse workforce, the plan would support workers most significantly impacted by the pandemic, address inequities, direct resources to support talent development for high-demand occupations, and focus on high-quality well-paying jobs that lead to careers with family-sustaining wages:

• Invest in rapid reskilling, upskilling, and skills transfer to connect unemployed Pennsylvanians to new career opportunities.
• Invest in programs that enhance digital literacy skills.
• Expand on registered apprenticeship programs to include non-traditional occupations like health care, child care, information technology and manufacturing.
• Expand on education and training opportunities that support middle-skill jobs and the skilled-trades.
• Transform workforce development services, including individualized career coaching and enhanced wrap-around supports to address barriers to employment.
• Support child care stabilization by increasing child care subsidies, assisting employers seeking to develop or expand on-site child care, assisting child care centers to expand services during non-traditional work hours, and eliminating child care deserts.
• Support innovative programs that help re-entering citizens obtain credentials and access employment opportunities.

Catalyze Pennsylvania’s Economic Recovery through Strategic Business and Community Support 
To support and attract businesses, Back to Work PA would develop a strong reshoring initiative. Supply chain issues have affected businesses across this country, and Pennsylvania’s manufacturing sector is poised to compete nationally and globally to address those needs.

• Develop a strong reshoring initiative by prioritizing and recapitalizing existing programs such as:
  • Business in Our Sites
  • Industrial Sites Reuse Program
  • Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority
  • Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund

• Increase investment into an aggressive business attraction marketing strategy to package and promote reshoring programs.
• Support innovation and entrepreneurs by developing a funding strategy to foster the creation of new companies and attract and retain talent in Pennsylvania.
• Provide strategic financial planning opportunities for municipalities so that they can address the revenue losses experienced during the pandemic and prepare for potential future economic disruptions:
  • Expand Municipal Assistance Program (MAP) to provide additional services to municipalities.
  • Expand and Reform Act 47.
  • Expand Strategic Management Planning Program (STMP).

Ensure Reliable Broadband for All Pennsylvanians 
COVID-19 disruptions have shown that broadband access is a necessity. Back to Work PA would prioritize making high-speed internet access available to all Pennsylvanians by building out this infrastructure in unserved areas of the commonwealth. Pennsylvanians deserve an opportunity for economic vitality and internet access is a fundamental pillar to that opportunity.

“We know that no two jobs are exactly the same, no two workers are exactly the same, and no two businesses are exactly the same. The individualized services in the governor’s Back to Work PA plan connect job seekers to the education or training that will set them up for success in the labor market, while also helping businesses connect to the skilled workforce they need to thrive,” said Department of Labor & Industry Acting Secretary Jennifer Berrier. “By making these smart investments now, we can build up our workforce to make Pennsylvania’s workers the most in-demand in the country as we emerge into the new post-pandemic world.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has hurt our communities and businesses, and we cannot stall on taking bold, strategic action to expedite a faster recovery,” said Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Dennis Davin. “Bolstering our workforce benefits our economy—and by extension, our communities—and Back to Work PA would provide the critical funding necessary to address Pennsylvania’s needs both now and in the future.”

Back to Work PA is part of the governor’s 2021 legislative plan, which prioritizes cut taxes for working families and businesses, while investing more money in education and workforce development.

“Our commonwealth is competing against the world for talent. To hasten Pennsylvania’s recovery, and strengthen its long-term competitive advantage, we must make the shift to people and place-centered economic policies that enhance the pipeline to retain, train, attract, and empower a diverse, talented workforce, which in turn will strengthen our business community. The Back to Work PA Plan would do just that,” said Kevin Schreiber, president of the York County Economic Alliance.

“I’m proud to partner with Governor Wolf and support his plan to invest in working families and get our economy back on track,” said state Sen. John Kane (D-Chester/Delaware). “I was a union plumber for four decades, and I led my union through the Great Recession. I have seen firsthand the toll that this kind of economic downturn takes on working people. This is more than a paycheck. During the recession, I lost members to suicide and overdoses, and those issues have only gotten worse during this pandemic. We need to get our low-wage workers, our workers of color, folks that have been disproportionately impacted, back to work. The governor’s plan would do just that, and I’m proud to stand with him to fight for a Pennsylvania that works for working people.”

“Pennsylvanians continue to face the biggest and most critical challenges of their lifetimes due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said state Rep. Maureen Madden (D-Monroe). “Back to Work PA offers a path to economic stability by imposing a long overdue commonsense tax on natural gas extraction. I fully support Governor Wolf’s diverse initiative to rebuild our infrastructure and get Pennsylvanians back in the workforce.”

Since the start of the pandemic, the Wolf Administration has provided more than $670 million in relief to businesses and non-profits in addition to support programs such as the Paycheck Protection; most recently, $145 million to provide much-needed immediate relief to the hospitality industry.

“Our businesses need the immediate relief that these funds will provide, but we also need long-term solutions,” Gov. Wolf said. “Getting Pennsylvania back on track after the pandemic means investing in the businesses and workers that drive our economy and developing a sustainable solution to support long-term economic recovery. Back to Work PA will foster economic recovery by investing in our businesses, our workers, and our communities.”

Recent Colder Weather and Winter Storms May Increase Bill Balances and Some Assistance Options May End by April 1

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today urged consumers or businesses that may be struggling with larger winter utility bills or overdue balances to call their public utilities today to explore all available assistance options – and to take advantage of enhanced winter options before those programs may change or end.

There are many assistance options currently available, but the arrival of spring – just weeks away – could bring changes or an end to some safeguards and may put some utility customers at risk of termination if they do not act soon.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the PUC adopted a series of enhanced consumer protections intended to safeguard families and small businesses who may be struggling financially.  Additionally, utilities have various customer assistance programs for income-qualified households, and many major utilities also took other voluntary steps to keep residents and businesses connected during the winter. But those assistance options may change or end on March 31, 2021.
 

Call Your Utility Now

The best “first step” that any consumer can take right now is to call their public utility’s customer service hotline and ask for information about their customer assistance programs.

Each major utility has a team of representatives trained to help consumers explore the many options that may be available and connect those families with the necessary resources.  If a consumer is unable to resolve an issue or obtain needed information from the utility, the consumer may contact the PUC’s Bureau of Consumer Services toll free at 1-800-692-7380.

The Commission encouraged consumers to take maximum advantage of assistance options – including payment plans, the waiver of late-payment charges and fees, and other affordability options that may not be available in the future.

Currently, all PUC-regulated public utilities in Pennsylvania are required to offer a series of enhanced consumer protections to “protected consumers” – those residential households hardest hit by the economic downturn triggered by COVID-19, along with aid for small businesses.
 

About the PUC

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

Visit the PUC’s website at www.puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

(Harrisburg, PA)  Senators Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny), Maria Collett (D-Bucks, Montgomery), Katie Muth (D-Berks, Chester, Montgomery) and Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-Delaware, Montgomery) announced that they plan to introduce legislation that would create a statewide COVID-19 Vaccine Registration database. The four Democratic Senators began circulating a co-sponsorship memo seeking support from other members last week. This memo largely echoes the House co-sponsorship memo put out by Representatives Ryan Bizzaro (D-3), Pam Snyder (D-50), Jennifer O’Mara (D-165), and Austin Davis (D-35).

This legislation would create a registry system that would allow Pennsylvanians to register themselves and their loved ones as willing recipients of the COVID-19 vaccine, provide proof of eligibility for a risk category, and delineate how far they are willing to travel to receive their vaccination. Vaccine providers will then have to register to access this database and give priority to these individuals in making appointments available. This legislation will reduce frustration, eliminate the need to spend hours searching for appointments and permit prioritization of vaccine distribution to our most vulnerable citizens.

“Our offices have all been inundated with heartbreaking calls of constituents desperate to protect themselves and their loved ones from this deadly disease,” said Senator Williams. “From an 80-year-old cancer survivor with no internet access who cannot search for an online vaccine appointment from a long list of individual providers, to a young man with Down’s syndrome who was turned away from a vaccine clinic despite having an appointment for not meeting the 65+ age criteria, we are failing the millions of Pennsylvanians who need a straightforward, accessible, and consistent way to sign up for their COVID vaccine.”

“At-risk Pennsylvanians should not be forced to navigate a complicated, competitive appointment system that favors those with free time and computer skills,” said Senator Collett. “For weeks, my colleagues and I have urged the Department of Health to make changes to the vaccine rollout, including more centralized registration, distribution and oversight systems. A statewide vaccine registration database could help streamline this process and restore our constituents’ faith that, though it may take time, they will receive the vaccines to which they are entitled in a fair and transparent manner.”

Other legislators echo this sentiment in their comments, calling for centralization and more accessible information as part of this legislation.

“This is a vital piece of legislation we are putting forth in response to the immediate public health needs of our Commonwealth. The roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine in Pennsylvania has been fragmented, hard to navigate, and has left behind our most vulnerable and at risk populations,” said Senator Cappelletti. “I’ve joined in pushing for this crucial legislation because the best way to end confusion and improve our vaccine roll out is to centralize the registry and make the process easier for all Pennsylvanians.”

“Pennsylvanians continue to feel frustrated and hopeless with the ongoing confusion regarding the COVID-19 vaccine distribution and signup process,” said Senator Muth. “Our office is fielding a high volume of calls and emails about how people can sign up to be vaccinated and whether their sign up status has changed based on limited availability of the vaccine. Streamlining the signup process is the only way to ensure vaccines are distributed in an equitable, timely, and organized manner, and that distribution data for all 67 counties can be easily found and interpreted and updated daily. The lack of data and inconsistent vaccine allocation from week to week is causing tremendous anxiety and distrust. We must work urgently to ensure transparency, accountability, and efficiency with our process.”

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health and the newly formed joint task force with the legislature today reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that Pennsylvanians will have access to second doses of COVID-19 vaccine within the CDC-recommended timeframe of up to 42 days after the first dose.

Acknowledging communications shortcomings and the need for more frequent outreach to providers, Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam outlined plans moving forward.

“As the Department of Health continues to review and improve the complex processes necessary to get COVID-19 vaccine from the manufacturers into the arms of Pennsylvanians as quickly as possible, we discovered some providers inadvertently administered the Moderna vaccine shipped to them intended as second doses, as first doses,” Acting Secretary Beam said. “We are taking immediate action to remedy the situation and are committed to ensuring that second doses are available.

“After careful review and discussion with legislators on Governor Tom Wolf’s COVID-19 Vaccine Joint Task Force we have a clear path forward that may include adjusting the timing of second dose administration following CDC guidelines that set the minimum time between doses at 21 and 28 days and the maximum time at 42 days.”

“The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are both two-dose vaccines,” said Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center and an attending physician in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “While the second dose was given either three or four weeks later during the clinical trials, the CDC has provided some leeway in the schedule given the limited amounts of vaccine available. Immunologically, waiting six weeks after the first dose to administer the second dose will surely result in the same booster response as that found during the three to four week interval.”

“We are in the desert with little water to drink,” Sen. Art Haywood, Senate Democratic Caucus Task Force member, said. “So it is with a scarce vaccine.  Now, we can’t waste the first dose of vaccine by not giving the second.”

“This second dose issue was the first major problem addressed by this task force and we have demonstrated that we are able to respond in real time and in a bipartisan manner,” said Sen. Ryan Aument, Senate Republican Caucus Task Force member. “However, we recognize that much work remains to implement a highly efficient and effective statewide plan to ensure that all Pennsylvanians who want to receive the vaccine, can. It is my hope that the task force will continue to work in a collaborative way to streamline and strengthen Pennsylvania’s vaccine rollout.”

“Our task force is laser focused on getting the vaccine into the arms of every eligible Pennsylvanian,” said House Democratic Caucus Task Force member, Rep. Bridget Kosierowski. “The supply clearly does not meet the demand. It is pertinent that we have the second doses available to providers that have already administered the first dose. I am very optimistic that the supply will continue to increase as we enter into the next phase of the vaccine rollout.”

“It is vitally important that we collectively work together to improve the state’s vaccination rate and get shots in arms,” said Rep. Tim O’Neal, Task Force member for the House Republican Caucus. “This is a first step in moving forward. I look forward to collaborating with other members of the task force to remove all barriers, streamline vaccination efforts and provide clear direction to all.”

“By working with local vaccine providers to help them better understand the delivery of first and second dose vaccines and by extending the time between doses, while remaining within CDC guidelines, we can minimize any disruption to first dose vaccinations,” Acting Sec. Beam said. “Our goal remains getting the extremely limited supply of vaccine to people as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

The department is very closely monitoring the inventory of vaccine in Pennsylvania. To maximize the amount of vaccine getting to people, the department will begin pulling excess inventory from throughout the vaccine provider system to get it to providers that can get 80 percent of it into arms within seven days.

This week, Pennsylvania has been allocated 183,575 first doses of vaccine; and 143,275 second doses of vaccine. In addition, the federal government is sending thousands of vaccine doses directly to Rite Aid and Topco stores in Pennsylvania under the Federal Retail Pharmacy Partnership program. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health receives its own, separate allocation of vaccine.

“The department is working directly with vaccine providers throughout this process and, in line with the vaccine order I signed last week, will be able to provide more precise information on vaccine allocations each week to increase transparency and predictability with first doses,” Acting Sec. Beam said.

The task force is working with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) as an integral part of these important conversations on how to ensure second doses are allocated accordingly.

COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
Every day tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians are receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Here are the latest vaccination statistics through Feb. 16:

• Local vaccine providers have administered 1,749,949 doses.
  • First doses, 82 percent (1,313,538 administered of 1,610,175 allocated)
  • Second doses, 38 percent (436,411 administered of 1,156,225 allocated)

Vaccine Order signed Feb. 12
Last week, Sec. Beam signed an order outlining appropriate steps and recognized best practices to ensure vaccine providers deliver 80 percent of doses within seven days of receipt, provide a phone number where people can speak to an individual to make an appointment and report race and ethnicity data for everyone vaccinated.

Your Turn tool

Last week, Pennsylvania launched the Your Turn tool to help everyone understand where they fall in the vaccination prioritization effort. The Your Turn tool directs eligible residents to the department’s vaccine provider map online to locate a trusted local provider and schedule a vaccination appointment. Your Turn also allows people to register to receive updates about vaccine distribution and allows the department to let you know when it is your turn to get vaccinated.

In addition to the Your Turn tool and while vaccine supply from the federal government remains limited, the Department of Health is working to ensure the vaccine is provided in a way that is ethical, equitable and efficient.

• A commonwealth COVID-19 vaccination guide explains the current process for getting one. Pennsylvanians with questions about the vaccination process can call the Department of Health hotline at 1-877-724-3258.
• Vaccine provider map to find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you.
• All of the locations that received vaccine and how much they have received can be found on the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution webpage.
• Vaccine dashboard data can also be found on the website to find more information on the doses administered and showcase demographic information.
• Pennsylvanians can provide feedback on the Pennsylvania COVID-19 Interim Vaccination Plan by clicking on the Plan Feedback Form square under Popular Vaccine Topics here.
• Frequently asked questions can be found here.

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
• Clean surfaces frequently.
• Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
• If you must go out, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.
• Download the COVID Alert PA app and make your phone part of the fight. The free app can be found in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store by searching for “covid alert pa”.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics

• Daily COVID-19 Report
• Press releases regarding coronavirus
• Latest information on the coronavirus
• Photos of the state’s lab in Exton (for download and use)
• Coronavirus and preparedness graphics (located at the bottom of the page)
• Community preparedness and procedures materials

Wolf Administration Updates on Progress of Vaccinations of Long-Term Care Facilities and Staff

First Round of COVID-19 Vaccines Nearly Complete at Nursing, Personal Care, and Assisted Living Facilities

Harrisburg, PA – The departments of Health (DOH) and Human Services (DHS) today provided an update on Pennsylvania’s progress administering COVID-19 vaccines to residents and staff of long-term and congregate care facilities eligible in Phase 1A via the Federal Pharmacy Partnership Program. To date, 100 percent of facilities enrolled in the program have received their first vaccine dose, 70 percent have received their second doses and, 70 percent of personal care homes and assisted living residences enrolled in the program have received their first doses.

“Vaccinating residents and staff of long-term and congregate care facilities – people who are often most at-risk of a severe case of COVID-19 if exposed – will protect our most vulnerable residents and, hopefully, reduce size and severity of outbreaks that have challenged congregate settings. This progress is a much-needed reprieve for long-term care facilities that have been particularly challenged by this pandemic,” said DHS Sec. Teresa Miller. “We are incredibly grateful to the committed staff at these facilities for their perseverance over the last year and their continued dedication to safety and fighting COVID-19 as we move forward. We have a long way to go, but we must recognize and celebrate this progress.”

Residents and staff of skilled nursing facilities, personal care homes, and assisted living residences are being vaccinated by CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens through the Federal Pharmacy Partnership, and residents and staff of other DHS-licensed long-term and congregate care settings are getting COVID-19 vaccines through a partnership between DHS and Rite Aid.

Pennsylvania is participating in the Federal Pharmacy Partnership Program in order to coordinate vaccinations for skilled nursing facilities, which are licensed by DOH, as well as personal care homes, assisted living facilities, and intermediate care facilities for people with disabilities licensed by DHS.

Pennsylvanians living in these facilities enrolled in the federal program are receiving vaccines from CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens. As of February 11, all skilled nursing facilities have had their first round of COVID-19 vaccine doses, and more than two-thirds of facilities statewide have had their second-round vaccine doses. More than 70 percent of personal care homes and assisted living facilities covered through the partnership have received their first round of vaccine doses, and CVS and Walgreens expect to finish first rounds before the end of the month. To date, the partnership has administered:

Other long-term and congregate care settings included in Phase 1A of Pennsylvania’s Interim Vaccination Plan, including group homes for people with disabilities; residential treatment facilities and long-term structured residences for adults with behavioral health needs; and private psychiatric hospitals, are not included in the federal partnership but are still in the Phase 1A due to the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks in congregate settings.

These settings serve people who have co-occurring medical needs that put them at higher risk of severe cases and death if they contract the virus. Some personal care homes and assisted living facilities also were not enrolled in the Federal Pharmacy Partnership program and may be served by the Rite Aid partnership for DHS-licensed facilities.

Vaccine clinics for these facilities are being held on-site for facilities where people served are not able to travel off-site. Additional clinics are being scheduled at centralized locations when possible to accommodate more facilities and community group homes, which are typically small, private residences. To date, the partnership has administered:

Nearly 4,400 people have been vaccinated so far through this partnership. Approximately 7,000 people living and working in 1,800 licensed facilities and group homes will be vaccinated at 78 scheduled clinics over just the next nine days.

Learn more about the partnership with Rite Aid and view more data here.

COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

Pennsylvania hospitals began receiving shipments of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine the week of Dec. 14 and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine the week of Dec. 21. Please note that this does include vaccine administration through CVS as part of the Federal Pharmacy Partnership, which is vaccinating people in long-term care facilities. Vaccination numbers for Pennsylvania do not include Philadelphia, which is its own jurisdiction, or federal facilities, which are working directly with the federal government.

Through Feb. 13:

• 2,439,550 doses of the vaccine will have been allocated/received by providers.
  • 175,175 first doses will have been allocated this week.
    • 1,426,600 first doses will have been allocated in total.
  • 143,275 second doses will have been allocated this week.
    • 1,012,950 second doses will have been allocated in total.

Through Feb. 8:

• 1,352,248 doses of the vaccine have been administered to 1,049,609 people.
  • 1,049,609, or 74 percent, of people have received their first dose of vaccine.
  • 302,639, or 30 percent, of people have received their second dose of vaccine.

While vaccine supply from the federal government remains limited, the Department of Health is working to ensure the vaccine is provided in a way that is ethical, equitable and efficient.

• The Your Turn tool provides a way to register to be alerted when it’s your turn to be vaccinated.
• A commonwealth COVID-19 vaccination guide explains the current process for getting one. Pennsylvanians with questions about the vaccination process can call the Department of Health hotline at 1-877-724-3258.
• Vaccine provider map to find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you.
• All of the locations that received vaccine and how much they have received can be found on the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution webpage.
• Vaccine dashboard data can also be found on the website to find more information on the doses administered and showcase demographic information.
• Pennsylvanians can provide feedback on the Pennsylvania COVID-19 Interim Vaccination Plan by clicking on the Plan Feedback Form square under Popular Vaccine Topics here.
• Frequently asked questions can be found here.

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
• Clean surfaces frequently.
• Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
• If you must go out, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.
• Download the COVID Alert PA app and make your phone part of the fight. The free app can be found in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store by searching for “covid alert pa”.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics

• Daily COVID-19 Report
• Press releases regarding coronavirus
• Latest information on the coronavirus
• Photos of the state’s lab in Exton (for download and use)
• Coronavirus and preparedness graphics (located at the bottom of the page)
• Community preparedness and procedures materials

AP-NORC poll: A third of US adults skeptical of COVID shots
By MIKE STOBBE and HANNAH FINGERHUT Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — About 1 in 3 Americans say they definitely or probably won’t get the COVID-19 vaccine. That’s according to a new poll that some experts say is discouraging news if the U.S. hopes to achieve herd immunity and vanquish the outbreak. The poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that while 67% of Americans plan to get vaccinated or have already done so, 15% are certain they won’t and 17% say probably not. Many expressed doubts about the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness, even though few if any serious side effects have turned up more than a month and a half into the vaccination drive.