The Allegheny Co. Health Dept. To set up vaccination appointments COVID-19 receives over 15,000 calls per second – CBS Pittsburgh

The Allegheny Co. Health Dept. To set up vaccination appointments COVID-19 receives over 15,000 calls per second – CBS Pittsburgh

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By: KDKA-TV News Staff

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The Allegheny County Department of Health hotline for scheduling COVID-19 vaccination appointments at your clinic in Monroeville was passed shortly after opening at noon.

The phone line is open at noon on Thursday for seniors, 65 and older, who do not have access to the Internet or are having trouble making an appointment online.

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However, there were dozens of reports about people who were unable to call when dialing the 211 number. Some people were even asked to provide credit card information instead of making an appointment.

“It was like calling to get tickets to a show. Busy phones. Busy phones, ”said David Panasiuk through Zoom.

Panasiuk tried to make an appointment for his 79-year-old mother and 77-year-old aunt.

“I had my mother, my aunt, my wife, me, my brother. Everyone is trying to call to reach them, ”said Panasiuk.

They all received busy signals. According to county officials, more than 15,000 calls were made per second during the day.

Allegheny County spokeswoman Amie Downs said that “211 lines are overloaded and people are having trouble getting through” due to “the sheer volume of people calling to register by phone”.

The 211 hotline is in partnership with United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania.

“I don’t think anyone expected so many people to call at exactly the same time,” said 211 United Way senior director Michele Sandoe.

According to the Department of Health, only 750 places will be available in the next two weeks in Monroeville. Once they are full, the hotline will no longer answer calls to schedule appointments.

Just before 4 pm, Downs said all 750 vacancies had been filled and the number 211 would no longer accept calls for appointments at this time.

Downs said the county is also aware of several reports of fraud incidents for people trying to dial 211. She said telephone operators are conducting investigations into all of them.

Panasiuk said he met a man who told him it was a longer wait than expected.

“They are going to give us a hundred dollar gift card that is good for Walmart or Target,” said Panasiuk.

He then asked for Panasiuk’s credit card information. Panasiuk hung up and tried again.

This time, he caught a woman who knew he was asking for the vaccine. She also asked for a credit card number.

“What do you need a credit card for? This is a free vaccine. ‘It’s to keep your place on the line,’ ”he said.

After Panasiuk refused, she hung up. United Way is not sure what happened. He is examining the matter. They said that these calls did not go to the right place.

“Hang up. Absolutely. Never, we never ask for credit card information,” said Sandoe through Zoom.

Panasiuk said: “I hope this doesn’t happen to the elderly in the whole neighborhood.”

Other vaccine suppliers in Allegheny County have separate registration systems. The numbers 211 are only for consultations at the COVID-19 vaccination center in Monroeville.

County health officials say seniors who call 211 for an appointment will be asked to provide an email address or cell phone number. They are not mandatory, but they will be useful for receiving reminders.

For those who do not have an email or cell phone, the Health Department said instructions will be provided on when to contact 211 to schedule the second dose.

The United Way Hotline 211 also provides 24-hour support for anyone with questions or concerns about the coronavirus. United Way plans to continue with phone support as soon as appointments are available. It will be closed temporarily when all openings are filled.

More information can be found on the Allegheny County Health Department’s Coronavirus vaccine information page at this link.

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