COVID-19 vaccine rollout progressing

The next charge in the fight against COVID-19 is beginning to advance.

The two COVID-19 vaccine products authorized for use in the United States, those made by Pfizer and Moderna, are starting to reach the arms of Pennsylvanians as supply and state guidelines allow.

Last week, Geisinger administered its 20,000th vaccine. Of those vaccines administered, 16,000 were first doses, and 14,000 went to Geisinger employees, representing 60 percent of the health system’s workforce.

In the initial phase of vaccination, doses went to front-line staff whose daily work involved significant interaction with COVID-19 patients and other staff in critical departments, aligning with federal and Pennsylvania Department of Health guidelines.

Since that initial phase, which began in mid-December, availability has expanded to all Geisinger employees and to some non-Geisinger personnel. Over the last week, we opened four community-based COVID vaccine centers to offer vaccines to any community health care personnel that fall within the state’s Tier 1A.

Appointments are required to receive the vaccine and can be made online using myGeisinger. A questionnaire must be completed prior to scheduling to ensure eligibility and for health screening purposes. Health care personnel must bring to their appointments their health care-related identification (certificate, license etc.) to verify eligibility as part of the state’s Phase 1A groups and a valid driver’s license.

Healthcare personnel who have been cared for by Geisinger or have Geisinger Health Plan insurance, but don’t have a myGeisinger account, can create one online at geisinger.org/mygeisinger. Those who haven’t been cared for by Geisinger and don’t have Geisinger Health Plan insurance or anyone under the age of 18 can call 570-284-3657 for help setting up an account.

Vaccines are available right now for:

• Chiropractors

• Clinical personnel in school or university settings

• Contracted health care personnel not directly employed by a health care facility

• Dentists and dental hygienists

• Direct medical support professionals

• EMS

• Medical students and trainees

• Non-Geisinger medical providers and their staffs

• Nurses, nursing assistants

• Persons not directly involved in patient care but exposed to infectious material that can transmit disease

• Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians

• Phlebotomists

• Physicians

• Medical technicians

• Therapists

Geisinger continues expanding to provide vaccines as quickly as supplies, staffing and Department of Health guidelines allow. I anticipate that the Pennsylvania Department of Health may revise its instructions soon to include the new federal guidelines announced last week. And I will keep updating you in this column as vaccines become available to more people.

Both the Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are being administered, and they both require two doses. Receiving the second dose is a critical step in the vaccination process, as it triggers the immune response needed to develop an immunity level against COVID-19.

While vaccines are rolling out, it is still vital that we follow preventive measures to help stop the spread of the virus, as it’s expected to be well into the summer before vaccines are readily available for all community members. Everyone, including those who receive the vaccine, should continue to properly wear a mask, avoid group gatherings, maintain physical distance from those who live outside their households, and practice proper handwashing.

For answers to questions about the vaccine or for more information on scheduling a vaccination at a Geisinger COVID-19 vaccine center, visit the Geisinger COVID-19 vaccine resources center at geisinger.org/COVIDvax.