Independent senior citizens need vaccine access

I am writing to express my frustration over the way the senior citizens of Montgomery County have been ignored in obtaining the Covid vaccine.

My parents have been life-long residents of Montgomery County, with my father’s business and family homes located within this county since the 1950s. They have been paying taxes to the county since that time as well, and have educated 6 children in your school systems.

Robert, age 88, and Evelyn, age 85, still live in Montgomery County; they, like many independent seniors, have been largely excluded in the roll-out of the Covid vaccine. The seniors that still live on their own have been almost penalized for not being in an assisted living situation with regards to the vaccine.

Like many senior citizens, they have underlying health conditions, which make them more vulnerable to any type of infection. They have been quarantining, as directed, wear masks when they need to go out and have adhered to all of the guidelines put forth by the CDC.

Weeks ago, I registered them on the Montco website for the vaccine, and here we still sit waiting for the opportunity to make an appointment, despite the guidelines now including the 1B category.

I have many teachers in my family, and we are very happy that they will soon be able to receive the vaccine due to their profession; they have the teacher’s union to advocate for their inclusion. Who is fighting for the independent senior citizens of Montgomery County?

I have spent hours online and on the phone trying to obtain the vaccine for my parents, and I am certain that I am not the only daughter (or son ) that is working diligently, to no avail thus far.

Here’s hoping that someone will start to advocate for the independent senior citizens in the battle against C0VID-19 infection.