SMETHPORT — The COVID-19 vaccination call center is opening next week, and will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays only.
The McKean County Department of Emergency Services released the phone number for the public to call, which is 814-887-3443. There is no voicemail set up for this number, so callers will not receive an answer when volunteers are not manning the phones.
During hours of operation, callers will be connected to a person or will be directed to call back. Callers should listen to the recorded message and wait for the ringing phone line to be connected to a volunteer.
The call center will assist the public with the completion of a “jot form” that will place the caller on a waiting list for any upcoming vaccine clinic. The public can also access the “jot form” or “Covid 19 Vaccination Waiting List” form online at www.mckeancountypa.org.
When the site opens, a pop-up window will open in the bottom right corner of the screen with Covid-19 Vaccination and the instruction “To be placed on a list to be contacted for covid-19 vaccination, click here.”
The link will take the public directly to the same form being completed at the Call Center. This is a self-service wait list form for the public.
The goal is to have all 1A eligible people on the list so they can be given priority when a shipment of vaccines is received. At this time, both Port Pharmacy and Bradford Regional Medical Center are collaborating with the county to utilize the jot form lists through DES. Any new provider scheduled to receive vaccines will also be able to access the list through DES.
“We need to have a master list ready and updated so when any provider is notified of a shipment we have a list that is as up-to-date as possible in order to use each and every vaccine we receive,” said Bruce Manning, EMA Coordinator. “We scrub the list, meaning we email or call to see if the person still needs and wants a vaccine, this way we know how many we have that are still eligible for a clinic.”
The Covid 19 Vaccination Waiting List provides a list for those who want to be vaccinated. Once a vaccine clinic opens, there are registration forms to secure an appointment for a shot. The vaccination appointments are scheduled in the same manner. The Call Center will email or call people from the jot form list to confirm they are still in need of a vaccine. The volunteers can register the public or those with email can access an appointment form.
“Right now, we are targeting those who are 65 and older,” said Manning. “We will be calling each person, 65 and over, who is on the waiting list through jot form to get them registered for the next open clinic.”
Volunteers are needed to assist in operating the Call Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays to make sure as many callers as possible are wait-listed for the vaccine.
Volunteers who are willing to work to assist EMA with the Call Center should email mckeandes@mckeancountypa.org and provide their name, email and phone number.
EMA will respond to each email to schedule shifts and inform the volunteers of the location and process to enter the building. All Covid-19 protocol will be followed for entering the building and for call center workstations.
