It is not yet clear when the next phase of coronavirus vaccination will begin in Pennsylvania, but those who are waiting now can sign up to receive alerts to be contacted when updates are released.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced the launch of this new “Your Turn” tool during a vaccine update briefing on Tuesday.
Posted at health.pa.gov, the tool asks users to answer screening questions to determine their vaccination phase, including their date of birth, job category and whether they have any high-risk conditions.
Those not eligible for the current phase known as 1A have the option of entering an email and a phone number to be contacted.
In 1A, the vaccine is limited to healthcare professionals, residents aged 65 and over and young people with serious medical conditions that make them more susceptible to serious illness or death.
More than 4 million state residents are eligible for the 1A vaccine, meaning 8 million doses will be needed to fully vaccinate them with the two required doses, Health Department senior adviser Lindsey Mauldin reiterated at the virtual briefing Tuesday.
The state has received 2.4 million doses from the federal government so far, Mauldin said.
On Tuesday, the first doses were administered to at least 1.05 million, while others more than 302,640 received the two necessary doses.
Mauldin said he cannot set a firm date for the start of 1B because it depends on the amount of vaccines provided by the federal government, with demand currently far exceeding supply here and across the country.
Phase 1B includes law enforcement, emergency service personnel, correctional officers, clergy and public transport workers, grocery stores, education, manufacturing, the US postal service, and day care centers and collective assistance facilities that were not part of 1A.
Mauldin emphasized that providers who administer the vaccine should not withhold the first doses to ensure that the second is available, as the state will ensure that all necessary second doses are allocated.
Residents without access to the Internet can contact 1-877-PA-HEALTH to determine their eligibility for the vaccine and receive contact information for providers who administer the vaccine near them.