All adults can now sign up for shots
Gov. Tom Wolf announced Monday that all adults in Pennsylvania are eligible to schedule an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine beginning Tuesday, nearly a week ahead of the original schedule.
“We need to maintain acceleration of the vaccine rollout, especially as case counts and hospitalization rates have increased,” Wolf said in a press release. “Therefore, just as President Biden has brought forward universal adult access to vaccines from May 1 to April 19, we are moving Pennsylvania’s timeline of universal adult access to April 13.”
The Department of Health noted there is ongoing appoint
ment availability in many parts of the state even as Phase 1A and 1B continue and 1C began Monday.
With the change in eligibility, those in Phase 2 will become eligible, opening up vaccines to all 16 years of age and older.
“Everyone needs and should be afforded the opportunity to access the vaccine as soon as possible,” Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said in the release. “And, this change provides earlier access for many, including college students increasing the likelihood of completion of twodose regimens prior to leaving campus for the summer.
“It also means simpler, streamlined operations for vaccine providers that no longer need to check eligibility of people making appointments.”
The department said its ongoing initiative with the area agencies on aging to provide help to vulnerable seniors to get the vaccine will continue. The department will also continue with its other equity initiatives.
Mobile vaccination unit One of those initiatives was announced Monday afternoon.
Pennsylvanian’s first mobile COVID-19 testing unit, CATE (Community-Accessible Testing & Education for COVID-19), has been transformed into the state’s first mobile COVID-19 vaccination unit. The unit was made possible through a partnership between Latino Connection, the state Department of Health and Highmark Blue Shield.
“Similar to the testing initiative, the vaccination tour stops will be in minority and underserved communities who otherwise may have not had easy access to getting the COVID-19 vaccine,” Beam said during a press briefing. “Now, all adult Pennsylvanians who want a vaccine can get one, and mobile units will provide another vaccination opportunity.”
In addition to vaccinations, the unit will have educational materials in English, Spanish and other languages.
“Through this initiative, we are delivering COVID-19 vaccinations to easily accessible locations in areas where they are needed the most,” said George Fernandez, Latino Connection founder and CEO. “Over the coming months, CATE is equipped to travel across the commonwealth providing COVID-19 vaccinations and education to everyone, regardless of income or health insurance.”
Fernandez said the until will host 120 vaccination events over the coming months. Individuals can begin registering for the tour stops starting next week at catemobileunit.com. For those who need assistance registering or do not have access to the internet, Fernandez said about 100 educational tabletop events will take place in corner stores and bodegas in key locations for these individuals to register.
Additional speakers highlighted the importance of breaking down barriers for the vulnerable and underserved populations as these populations have disproportionately been affected by COVID-19.
“There is evidence that shows that nonwhite populations have died from COVID-19 at a disproportionately higher rate than white populations in nearly every state,” said Dr. Sarah Ramirez, Penn State Healthy clinician. “I know firsthand the barriers that exist for nonwhite and nonEnglish speaking individuals.”
Ramirez learned at a young age how difficult the health care system could be for non-English speakers as she helped her mom navigate the system as an interpreter. As a health care worker, Ramirez said she has also seen the destruction, fear and devastation caused by COVID-19.
Dr. Oralia Dominic, Highmark Blue Shield medical policy research analyst, said hospitalization data has shown that racial and ethinic minorities and their communities are at increased risk for getting, spreading and dying of COVID-19. She said this initiative will help remove barriers including language and access by ensuring everyone has a fair opportunity to get the vaccine.
Luz Colon, executive director of Wolf’s advisory commission on Latino affairs, said the initiative focuses on bringing free and accessible vaccinations into these communities.
“This initiative comes at a critical time when many individuals are still struggling to receive the COVID-19 vaccination,” Colon said. “Every effort to increase access to vaccination is worthy of recognition.”
As of Monday afternoon, only two vaccination stops were public on CATE’s website: Hazleton on Thursday and Friday. Three testing stops were also listed, two in Philadelphia, April 22 and 28; and one in Chester, April 24.
The tour schedule is available at facebook.com/ CATEmobileunit and catemobileunit.com.
“One year ago, our world as we knew it shut down,” Fernandez said. “We truly lived in fear. Today marks a new day and one that we could have only prayed for one year ago.
“Today and every day forward, people have increasing access to COVID-19 vaccinations and the milestone we mark here is that these vaccinations are now being delivered into the heart of communities where they are most needed.”
To date, Pennsylvania providers have administered more than 6 million vaccines, and the state is ranked among the top 20 states for first-dose vaccinations, officials said. More than 2.4 million Pennsylvanians are fully vaccinated. Beam said more than 39% of the state’s population has received at least one dose and vaccine providers have administered an average of 87,000 doses per day over the past seven days.