COVID-19 Vaccine
As information is changing quickly, we will continue to update this page to assist in keeping the public and healthcare providers informed of COVID-19 vaccine updates.
The Montgomery County Office of Public Health is working closely with the Pennsylvania Department of Health in supplying COVID-19 vaccine. The goal is for everyone to be able to easily get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as large quantities are available. The initial roll-out of the vaccine will be in limited supply and vaccination efforts will focus on those at highest risk for contracting COVID-19 or developing serious illness from COVID-19.
As more vaccine becomes available, vaccination across multiple phases can occur simultaneously.
COVID-19 Vaccination REGISTRATION
This page was last updated on 1/13/2021.
The Montgomery County Office of Public Health has started scheduling appointments for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for Phase 1A which includes qualifying healthcare staff who live or work in the county.
If you have received ANY type of vaccine in the past 14 days, or plan to get a vaccine in the next 14 days, YOU CANNOT GET THE COVID VACCINE UNTIL 14 DAYS HAVE PASSED.
The Office of Public Health will review the responses and send a registration link to persons that fit into the 1A category, which will take them to an appointment system. Appointment confirmation and a medical license, badge, or paystub verifying employment will be required to receive a vaccination.
- Healthcare Offices and Healthcare professionals: Individuals employed by a healthcare office should have their office complete one survey form for all staff.
- Private Healthcare Contractors: Private contractors who work in the healthcare industries listed in the Phase 1A category below, and who do not have a primary employer may apply as an independent contractor. In this case, “Business Name” would be “Your Name Private Contractor.” Business contact information would be the individual’s contact information. A description of the individual’s work in the healthcare industry (as described above in 1A) should be included under “describe the service your agency providers.”
Pre-registration is for:
- People who are 65 years of age or older, OR
- Individuals who have health conditions that qualify them for Phase 1B or 1C
At this time, this survey is not accepting responses from individuals who qualify for vaccination in Phases 1B and 1C based solely on occupation. We are currently working to address this issue. Please check back soon for updates, and in the meantime, contact your employer to see if they have completed the Pre-Screening for Healthcare Agency (1A) and Phase 1B Business Vaccination Registry.
Questions?
Any questions or concerns regarding vaccine registration MUST be directed to the Montgomery County Office of Public Health at publichealth@montcopa.org. Veoci, our survey provider, will not be able to address any inquiries or provide any assistance on this matter.
Vaccine Clinic Information
Clinics will run Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 3:45 p.m. Due to the limited supply of vaccine available at this time, only eligible people will be scheduled appointments over the next few weeks. Appointments are required to receive the vaccine, no walk-up registration will be accepted. As more vaccine doses become available, more appointment slots and vaccination clinics will be opened.
PA Long-Term Care Facility State COVID-19 Vaccination Partnership
The PA Department of Health will be matching Long Term Care Facilities NOT enrolled in the federal partnership with potential vaccinators. Please fill out this form only if you are not already enrolled with the federal program and are interested in being matched with a state vaccination provider:
Vaccine distribution for this category has begun. To complete a pre-screening survey to register, click here. Vaccine clinics will continue based on the availability of the vaccine and are subject to change.
Phase 1A: Pennsylvania is receiving small initial allocations of vaccine as product has become available. On December 11, 2020, the CDC adopted the recommendations of the federal advisory panel, ACIP, that 1) health care personnel and 2) residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs) be offered vaccination in Phase 1A of the COVID-19 vaccination program. Pennsylvania has adopted these recommendations.
The DOH recognizes the sub-prioritization approach recommended by ACIP, because initial vaccine allocation is scarce compared to the number of health care personnel in the state who would require vaccination, and there is expected to be a constrained supply environment for some months. In addition to the sub-prioritization endorsed by ACIP, DOH is including additional sub-prioritization categories to better inform providers to ensure ethical allocation of scarce vaccine, as outlined in Appendix 8 of this Plan.
Initial allocation of vaccine in Phase 1A will be distributed to hospitals, health systems, FQHCs, and pharmacies, and the Federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program, which will be responsible for vaccinating residents and health care personnel who work in long-term care facilities. Hospitals, health systems, FQHCs and pharmacies should use the appendix 8 tool.
Phase 1A; Healthcare Personnel: “Health care personnel” are defined by ACIP as paid and unpaid persons serving in health care settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials. These health care personnel (HCP) may include, but are not limited to, emergency medical service personnel, nurses, nursing assistants, physicians, dentists, dental hygienists, chiropractors, therapists, phlebotomists, pharmacists, technicians, pharmacy technicians, health professions students and trainees, direct support professionals, clinical personnel in school settings or correctional facilities, contractual HCP not directly employed by the health care facility, and persons (e.g., clerical, laboratory, dietary, environmental services, laundry, security, maintenance, engineering and facilities management, mortuary, administrative, billing, clergy when working in health care settings, regulatory staff who perform on-site assessments in hospitals and facilities that meet the definition of Phase 1A long-term care facilities, long-term care ombudsmen, Older Adult Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, and Child Protective Services staff that are required to do on-site assessments in hospitals and facilities that meet the definition of Phase 1A long-term care facilities, and volunteer personnel) not directly involved in patient care but potentially exposed to infectious material that can transmit disease among or from health care personnel and patients. “Health care settings” refers to the CDC definition of the places where health care is delivered and includes, but is not limited to, acute care facilities, long term care facilities, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, nursing home and assisted living facilities, home healthcare, vehicles where health care is delivered (e.g., mobile clinics), and outpatient facilities, such as dialysis centers, physician offices, adult day facilities and other sites.
Phase 1A: Long-term care facilities (LTCFs): “Long-term care facilities” are defined by ACIP as facilities that provide a spectrum of medical and non-medical services to frail or older adults unable to reside independently in the community. In Pennsylvania, facilities that may serve frail or older adults in a residential setting include Skilled Nursing Facilities, Personal Care Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Private Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities, Community Group Homes, Residential Treatment Facilities for Adults, Long-term Structured Residences, State Veterans Homes, State Centers, private psychiatric hospitals, and State Hospitals.
CDC Rationale: Early protection of health care personnel is critical to preserve capacity to care for patients with COVID-19 or other illnesses. Due to high rates of underlying medical conditions, and congregate living situation, long-term care residents are at high risk for infection and severe illness from COVID-19.
Phase 1A Recommendation Evidence Table
To learn more about the CDC recommendations visit: Coronavirus Recommendations Process
Pre-registration for individuals: People who are 65 years of age or older, OR individuals who have health conditions which qualify them for Phase 1B or 1C who wish to receive the COVID-19 vaccine can pre-register here.
Pennsylvania is planning for limited but expanding supply of vaccine where people at higher risk and critical workers may receive initial doses. On December 22, 2020, ACIP recommended to vaccinate in Phase 1B people age 75 or older, non–health care frontline essential workers, and persons in congregate settings not otherwise specified as a LTCF, as well as persons receiving home and community-based services. Frontline essential workers refers to the ACIP’s definition that can be found here. The populations identified in this section will be eligible for vaccination in Phase 1B unless already eligible and vaccinated under another category in Phase 1A.
Phase 1B: Non-Health Care frontline essential workers: Defined by ACIP as frontline essential workers are a subset of essential workers who perform duties across critical infrastructure sectors and maintain the services and functions that U.S. residents depend on daily and are likely at highest risk for work-related exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, because their work-related duties must be performed on-site and involve being in close proximity (<6 feet) to the public or to coworkers.
Sectors recommended by ACIP for vaccination in Phase 1B include*:
First Responders: Refers to only those first responders who are on scene, cannot work remotely or maintain physical distancing and need to work closely to the public.
- Law enforcement
- Fire/rescue personnel
- PA National Guard responders not included otherwise in Phase 1A
- Older Adult Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services
- Long-Term Care Ombudsmen
- Emergency services sector
- Regulatory staff that are required to do on-site assessments of the 1B congregate care settings
Frontline Essential Workers: Maintain services and functions Pennsylvanians depend on daily. Within each sector, refers to only essential workers who cannot work remotely or maintain physical distancing and need to work in close proximity to the public.
- Correctional officers and other workers serving people in congregate care settings including:
- Domestic violence/rape crisis shelters
- Office of Children, Youth, and Families Child Residential Facilities
- Homeless Shelters
- Food and agricultural workers
- U.S. Postal Service workers
- Manufacturing workers
- Grocery store workers
- Education workers (teachers and support staff)
- Clergy and other essential support for houses of worship
- Public transit workers
- Drivers of high occupancy vehicles (more than 6) or drivers participating in medically necessary services
- TSA workers
- Airport/train security
- Medical Assistance Transportation Program drivers
- Individuals caring for children or adults in Early Childhood and Adult Day Programs
- Child Care
- Part Day School Age Programs
- Home Visiting Programs
- Early Intervention staff
- Early Childhood programs including Head Start, Pre-K, and Family Center
- Adult Day Programs
Phase 1B: Highest risk for severe disease:
- Persons Aged 75 and older: Persons aged 75 and older are at critical risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19
- Persons in Congregate Settings not Otherwise Specified as a LTCF and Persons Receiving Home and Community-Based Services.
- Behavioral Health/Rehabilitation Facilities
- Community Residential Rehabilitation Services
- Correctional Facilities
- Juvenile Justice Facilities
- Domestic Violence Shelters
- Homeless Shelters or Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
- Intensive or Partial Treatment Programs
- Office of Developmental Programs Home and Community-Based Services
- Office of Long-Term Living Home and Community-Based Services
- Office of Children, Youth and Families Child Residential Facilities
CDC Rationale: Frontline essential workers who are likely at highest risk for work-related exposure to COVID-19, because their work-related duties must be performed on-site and involve being in close proximity (<6 feet) to the public or to coworkers. Persons aged ≥75 years are at high risk for COVID-19–associated morbidity and mortality.
Phase 1B and 1C Recommendation Evidence Table
* Time frames are dependent upon the availability of vaccine and are subject to change.
To find out more about the CDC recommendations visit: Coronavirus Recommendations Process
Pre-registration for individuals: People who are 65 years of age or older, OR individuals who have health conditions which qualify them for Phase 1B or 1C who wish to receive the COVID-19 vaccine can pre-register here.
Pennsylvania anticipates further increases in vaccine availability. On December 22, 2020, ACIP recommended to vaccinate in Phase 1C persons aged 65–74 years, persons aged 16–64 years with medical conditions that increase or may increase the risk for severe COVID-19, and essential workers not included in Phase 1B. The populations identified in this section will be eligible for vaccination in Phase 1C unless already eligible and vaccinated under another category in Phase 1A or Phase 1B.
Phase 1C: High Risk for Severe Disease:
- Persons aged 65-74 and
- People aged 16-64 with high-risk conditions causing increased risk for severe disease as listed below:
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Down Syndrome
- Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
- Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
- Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or higher but < 40 kg/m2)
- Severe Obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2)
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease
- Smoking
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Phase 1C: Essential Workers: Essential workers who do not meet criteria to make them eligible in Phase 1A or 1B will be vaccinated in this phase. “Essential workers” refers to the ACIP’s definition that can be found here and is based on the U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency’s guidance. This only includes workers who are essential to continue critical infrastructure and maintain the services and functions Americans depend on daily and workers who cannot perform their duties remotely and must work in close proximity to the public.
Sectors recommended by ACIP for vaccination in Phase 1C include*:
- Transportation and logistics
- Water and Wastewater
- Food Service
- Housing Construction
- Finance, including bank tellers
- Information technology
- Communications
- Energy, including Nuclear Reactors
- Legal Services
- Federal, state, county, and local government workers, including county election workers, elected officials and members of the judiciary and their staff
- Media
- Public Safety
- Public Health Workers
*CDC indicates an intention to publish additional information on essential workers and DOH will review and incorporate into future versions of the plan.
Phase 1B and 1C Recommendation Evidence Table
To find out more about the CDC recommendations visit: Coronavirus Recommendations Process
*More information for the time frame of distribution for Phase 2 will be posted as it becomes available.
Phase 2: Expanded supply of vaccine available Pennsylvania is planning for expanding supply of vaccine for individuals who are not already eligible and vaccinated within Phase 1 to receive initial doses. On December 22, 2020, ACIP recommended to vaccinate any individual over the age of 16 who agrees and does not have a contraindication for vaccine. Note that at this time, only the Pfizer-BioNTech product is approved for those age 16 and 17.
To find out more about the CDC recommendations visit: Coronavirus Recommendations Process
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Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional COVID-19 Vaccine Providers
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
COVID-19 Vaccine Information for You & Your Family
Healthcare Professionals: Preparing for COVID-19 Vaccination
COVID-19 Vaccination Communication Toolkit for Medical Centers, Clinics, and Clinicians
OTHER NATIONAL RESOURCES
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) COVID-19 The Latest: What You Need to Know Today
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education Center Questions and Answers about COVID-19 Vaccines
Johns Hopkins University & Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center
Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) Ask the Experts about COVID-19 and Routine Vaccination
PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions
PA DOH COVID-19 Vaccine Providers
Pennsylvania COVID-19 Interim Vaccination Plan
PA HAN 541 - 12/16/20 - ADV - Infection Prevention and Control Considerations for Healthcare Personnel with Signs and Symptoms Following COVID-19 Vaccination
Counseling Pregnant and Breastfeeding Clients