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Philadelphia on Thursday released an official form for residents and employers to indicate interest in receiving the COVID-19 vaccines.
This new registry is the first operated by the city’s Department of Public Health. Its launch comes just a few weeks after a startup called Philly Fighting COVID opened a similar portal that appeared to be affiliated with the city. The Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium also has an application form, as does Acme Markets.
Contrary to what the authorities indicated earlier this week, the Department of Health will work with these organizations to ensure that the information is all consolidated into a central database, according to the announcement.
The city portal is basically your opportunity to tell the Philadelphia authorities that you want immunization as soon as you can. It is not an official record for a vaccination appointment and does not reserve your place in the queue.
Due to limited vaccine supply, it may take weeks or months before you are notified that an appointment is available. You may not even hear it back for a while.
See what we know about the vaccine registration status and what is not yet clear.
How will I know when I am eligible to receive the vaccine?
There is no timetable now for when different groups in Philadelphia will be eligible for the vaccine. But if you sign up for the municipal register, you should be alerted when it is your turn.
When will the city’s vaccine registry go live?
Health commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley announced the city’s registration on Wednesday, January 19. The service aired two days later, on Thursday, January 21.
How do I sign up?
The portal is located at phila.gov/vaccineinterest.
It is available in Spanish and English, but accessible only to people with an Internet connection.
What about people who don’t have internet or a smartphone?
The city is planning to reach populations that are not connected to the Internet, Farley said, but for now the application is only online.
What happens after I sign up?
Nothing at once. You are just registering to “express an interest” in getting vaccinated, by Farley. The online portal will not give you an appointment, or even a general schedule.
Ultimately, the registry must notify you when you are eligible to receive the vaccine.
Wait, but I thought I already signed up for something?
You may have. Philly Fighting COVID opened a vaccine registry and started distributing doses at the Pennsylvania Convention Center a few weeks ago. But it is administered independently and separate from the city registry.
So, what is the relationship between the city and Philly Fighting COVID?
The Department of Health has provided the PFC vaccination site with about 1,000 doses per week so far, but does not oversee its registration system. It is similar to the city’s relationship with the Black Doctors’ Consortium and Acme Markets and other pharmacies authorized to give the vaccine.
Should I register for both? What about the other records?
According to the city’s announcement, Ministry of Health officials will work with other “pre-registration” sites to ensure they have access to information already collected by other organizations.
It is not clear whether there is a benefit to enrolling in these groups – as they are the ones who actually administer the vaccines. The city of Philadelphia is not giving any injections directly.
Is my data safe?
The data collected by the municipal form are maintained with the same level of security as other health information maintained by the Public Health Secretariat, the city said. For other records, it is not clear what security measures are being taken.
I am an essential employee. How do I sign up?
The city registry includes boxes that you can check to indicate that you are an essential worker.
How long will it take to get an answer about my vaccine appointment?
Farley said those who register in the city are unlikely to get an answer for weeks, if not months. The PFC is practically on the same timeline, with its website saying that doses will be released “in the coming months”.
When will I really be vaccinated?
The city does not yet have a specific schedule for immunizations. But we know the order in which Philadelphia is expected to be vaccinated. Here is an analysis.
Who will administer the vaccines?
The city has issued a request for proposals for potential vaccine clinics – so stay tuned for more information on this one.
Meanwhile, the PFC clinic is already up and running at the Convention Center. Hospitals, healthcare systems and pharmacies will also distribute doses, and the Black Doctors’ Consortium is running vaccination sites at several community centers.
Some large employers that have internal medical facilities will also give injections, according to Farley. He also indicated that, eventually, people with chronic illnesses should be able to obtain the vaccine through their doctors, but it is unclear when this will happen.
“There is no reason to call your personal health care provider to ask how to make an appointment,” said the city’s announcement.
WHY Billy Penn health reporter Nina Feldman and Max Marin contributed to the story.