Greene County Plays Supporting Role in COVID-19 Vaccine Program
Contact: Greene County Commissioners
724-852-5210
sapenich@co.greene.pa.us
Greene County Plays Supporting Role in COVID-19 Vaccine Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WAYNESBURG – As COVID-19 cases continue to increase in Greene County, the opportunity to receive the COVID vaccine is on everyone’s mind. Pennsylvania hospitals began receiving shipments of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine the week of December 14 and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine the week of December 21.
The Department of Health guides the distribution and administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. Updated on January 8th, the state’s vaccination plan follows the blueprint set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding a COVID-19 Vaccination Plan. It is an interim plan that is being continuously updated to reflect the latest recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and other guidance available and feedback received.
On Monday, Dr. Rachel Levine, PA Secretary of Health, provided an update on the number of vaccines distributed by the federal government in the commonwealth. “Our mission to immunize any Pennsylvanian who wants a vaccine continues,” Dr. Levine said. “The Federal Pharmacy Partnership has vaccination clinics at 159 skilled nursing facilities this week. Vaccine providers have administered vaccine to a total of 311,477 people, including 251,133 people who have received their first dose and 30,172 who have received two doses and are considered fully vaccinated.”
The current distribution plan has medical facilities administering vaccines in four phases: Phase 1A, 1B, 1C and Phase 2. Pennsylvania is currently administering COVID vaccines to Phase 1A. Phase 1A consists of health care personnel and long-term care facility residents. Phase 1B consists of people 75 years of age and older and those in higher risk categories of both health and profession. Phase 1C consists of people ages 65-74 or aged 16-64 with high-risk conditions causing increased risk for severe disease and essential workers in specific professions. Phase 2 consists of individuals over 16 years of age who have not been previously covered. A complete description of population by phase is available at https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Vaccine.aspx.
Locally, there is a plan in place and when the vaccine is received by the health care providers, the capability exists to get it distributed to the public in accordance with the prioritized phases established by the Department of Health.
Greene County is in a supporting role in administering the vaccine. The County continues to be a partner in information gathering, plan validation and assisting in any way available. “We have offered whatever help we can provide to the hospital administrators charged with organizing the vaccine program. Our facilities and any other county asset we can offer to facilitate a more efficient and effective vaccination program is available,” said Mike Belding, Chairman of the Greene County Commissioners. “We certainly value our partnership with our local health care providers including Washington Health Systems Greene, Cornerstone Care, Centerville Clinics, McCracken’s Pharmacy, CVS and Walgreens,” he added.
The Commonwealth has provided a vaccine provider map that is available at https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Vaccine.aspx This vaccine provider map ensures that all enrolled vaccine providers have their information publicly available for those currently eligible to be vaccinated. All eligible providers that have vaccines delineated on the map in a green pin, while those providers that are eligible but do not have vaccine show up with a red pin.
All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertPA, a text notification system for health, weather, and other important alerts like COVID-19 updates from commonwealth agencies. Residents can sign up online at www.ready.pa.gov/BeInformed/Signup-For-Alerts.
Greene County is in a supporting role in administering the COVID-19 vaccine. The County continues to be a partner in information gathering, plan validation and assisting in any way available.
Locally, there is a plan in place and when the vaccine is received by the health care providers, the capability exists to get it distributed to the public in accordance with the prioritized phases established by the Department of Health.
Keep Yourself Updated on Covid-19 and Vaccinations
COVID-19 cases are at an all-time high. It's more important than ever to wear a mask, keep your distance, and download the COVID Alert PA App.