SMETHPORT — McKean County Department of Emergency Services is developing a plan for the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.
According to Gerard Rettger, McKean County Emergency Management Agency deputy director, the county is preparing to assist with the vaccine rollout should they be directed to do so by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
The DES staff is prioritizing the guidance from the health department and working with the McKean County commissioners to set up a Point of Distribution. At this time, the plan is to identify one location within the county, due to staffing limitation concerns. In order to limit the time at the vaccination center, people will be able to pre-register online at a health department’s website. It is anticipated that walk-in registration forms will also be an option for those who are unable to register online.
The point-of-distribution is expected to be operating from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays. The location and eligibility will be announced as soon as each is confirmed.
Rettger noted that to optimize the rollout of this vaccination program, it is going to be important for the public to be well informed. Those seeking a vaccine will need to understand who qualifies for each phase so they can register at the appropriate time. Initially vaccines will be limited, however, according to the Center for Disease Control anyone who wants a vaccine should be able to get one before the middle of next year.
Guidance as to which groups of people will be included in each phase of vaccinations will be coming from the health department and the CDC. Phase 1A is currently being implemented by local hospitals. This phase includes vaccinations for hospital and healthcare workers who are directly impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
Phase 1B will follow, in late January or early February, as the first public group to be vaccinated. This phase is currently slated to be available to emergency services, educational staff, child and adult care workers, and critical infrastructure facilities personnel such as for water treatment, energy, and transportation services. High risk individuals are also anticipated to be in this phase. Up to date eligibility information is available at https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Vaccine.aspx
The McKean County DES is looking for volunteers to assist in the operations, both clerical and clinical, at the point-of-distribution. Go to www.servpa.pa.gov to sign up to help. They are specifically looking for clinical staff with valid Pennsylvania licensing that can perform the actual vaccinations.
