Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Efforts target vaccinations for those homebound
Efforts target vaccinations for those homebound
Standing behind a podium set up in front of the Berks County Services Center on Monday morning, bracing against cold and persistent wind, Gov. Tom Wolf allowed himself to brag just a bit.
When it comes to getting COVID-19 vaccines into arms, Pennsylvania is doing pretty well, he said.
“We are way ahead of the national average,” he said.
About 47% of the people in the state have received first doses — including Wolf, who said he got his first shot of the Moderna version last week in York County — ranking the state 10th best in the nation, Wolf reported. And second doses are going well, too, he added.
But as Pennsylvania moves forward, as the vaccination process trudges ahead, Wolf said it is important not to let people slip through the cracks.
“We need to get everyone vaccinated,” he said. “And that is important because, as we get more people vaccinated obviously that helps the person that’s getting vaccinated, but everybody else, too. It helps get us closer to that herd immunity where we can all get back to life as normally as we possibly can.”
That includes Pennsylvanians who aren’t able to wait in lines at clinics, who aren’t able to travel to medical centers or pharmacies to get a shot. People who aren’t able to leave their homes.
Wolf visited Berks County on Monday to talk about efforts to provide vaccination opportunities to homebound Pennsylvanians, and to announce a new amendment to an order from the state Department of Health requiring vaccine providers to work with local Area Agencies on Aging and other organizations to supply doses to be administered in people’s homes.
“We need to go out affirmatively, reach out to people and make sure that people that are having a tough time getting to a place where they can get vaccinated, that we do what we need to do to get the vaccine into that arm,” he said.
Wolf said there is a collaborative effort taking place in the state between the departments of health, aging and human services and local Area Agencies on Aging and other groups to make sure people can get the vaccine even if they can’t easily get to a vaccination site.
“We cannot leave anyone behind in the vaccine process,” Acting Secretary of Human Services Meg Snead said when it was her time behind the podium, adding that in-home vaccines are the best way to reach a population at high risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19. “This work will save lives.”
The governor said homebound Pennsylvanians have had a particularly tough time during the pandemic.
“They’ve faced the same isolation we all have, and even more so,” he said.
State Sen. Judy Schwank, who also spoke at Monday’s event, said homebound individuals faced challenges even before the pandemic reared its ugly head, dealing with issues like access to food and medical care. COVID-19 has only made things worse, adding the fear of a deadly disease to the mix.
“You can only imagine what the last year has been like for them,” the Ruscombmanor Democrat said.
State Rep. Manny Guzman said his offices has been flooded with messages from constituents looking for help getting access to vaccinations, some days fielding as many as 10 to 20 calls. When those constituents were homebound, he said, it was tough to provide help.
“There wasn’t much I could give them,” the Reading Democrat said. “I’m proud to say, today, those homebound individuals now have an option.”
State Secretary of Aging Robert Torres said he hopes the newfound focus on vaccinating homebound individuals is a bright light for older Pennsylvanians who have been worrying and struggling.
“We’re committed to reaching each and every senior who wants a vaccine,” he said. “Please, do not give up, and let us help you.”
Those who spoke Monday encouraged anyone who is having trouble getting a homebound individual vaccinated to contact their local Area Agency on Agency.
Along with bringing attention to the issue of vaccinating homebound Pennsylvanians, Monday’s event also served as a platform for leaders to continue their encouragement for getting vaccinated.
Guzman said he got his second dose over the weekend. And although it left his arm a bit sore and weak, it was better than the alternative.
“That’s OK, I’m alive,” he said.
Guzman said that Reading is finally getting its fair share of vaccine doses, so local residents have no excuse for not getting their own shots.
“Now is your turn to get your COVID-19 vaccination,” he said. “We all need to do our part.”
Schwank said Pennsylvania is making progress against COVID-19, but that doesn’t meant it’s time to relax. She said getting vaccinated is a way to give the gift of good health to the entire population.
“What are you waiting for?” she said. “Let’s get this done.”