COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Monroe County: What you need to know

Have you received the COVID-19 vaccine?

In Pennsylvania, 407,217 doses of the vaccine have been administered as of Jan. 14, according to the state Department of Health, which does not include vaccines administered at CVS as part of the Federal Pharmacy Partnership.

Of those: 

321,404 people have received one dose (partially covered).

58,116 people that have received two doses (fully covered).

In the United States, 30,628,175 total doses have been distributed as of Jan. 14, but only about one-third, or 11,148,991, have received the first dose.

Here's what we know so far. 

How many vaccinated so far in Monroe County?

As of Jan. 15, a total of 3,267 partial vaccinations have been administered in Monroe, the 28th-highest total in the state of Pennsylvania. In addition, 491 full vaccinations have been administered, the 29th-highest county total in the state.

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How do I get a COVID vaccine?

Many individuals in later priority groups and the general public will likely get the vaccine as they get flu shots — at a health care provider or a pharmacy location.

For Phase 1B, there may still be some large regional vaccination sites for workers, but there also will be employer-based vaccine clinics for essential worker populations and vaccines available for high-risk groups at local clinics and pharmacies.

On Wednesday, Lehigh Valley Health Network reported that mass immunization tents have been set up in nearby Lehigh County, "with operations to start on appropriate groups as soon as we have sufficient vaccine and the go-ahead from the State."

LVHN noted that similar sites in Monroe County will be established in coordination with local health bureaus and authorities.

"We expect to vaccinate at least 5,000 people per day when we have adequate vaccine supply," LVHN public affairs official Michael Peckman said in a statement released Wednesday.

Employers with essential workers will be notified when vaccines become available.

For adults 75 and older not vaccinated at long-term care facilities, the DOH and local officials are working on a range of options, Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said. These could include launching mobile vaccine clinics for homebound individuals and rapid response teams and allocating doses to pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens statewide.

How much does it cost?

Regardless of whether you have health insurance, the COVID-19 vaccine will be provided to every American at no cost, but health-care providers could charge insurers fees to administer the vaccine or for an office visit.

Can I show up without an appointment?

No, no one is able to get a vaccine without an appointment. The Pennsylvania Department of Health is offering vaccinations in three phases. The first of those phases has begun with health care workers. EMS first responders have begun receiving vaccines in Monroe County, and soon to be next are people 75 and older, and residents of nursing homes. Plans are being made to then offer vaccinations to critical and essential workers as well as people 65 and older. These plans are all part of phase 1.

Phase 2 in Pennsylvania involves vulnerable populations and those with high-risk health conditions. In Phase 3, access to a safe and effective vaccine will be provided for the entire population, according to the state Department of Health.

Where do I sign up?

Many providers are being enrolled and will be able to administer COVID-19 vaccinations, according to the PA Department of Health. They will be available at some pharmacies, health centers, doctor's offices, urgent care centers, and mass vaccination clinics, but the timeline and a place to sign up for the vaccine have not been specified by the state at this time.

Gov. Tom Wolf on Jan. 14 signed a temporary waiver allowing pharmacies to administer the vaccine without a doctor's order. 

There is no registration available at this time, according to the Department of Health, but when it becomes available, there will be a form to use on the DOH website: www.health.pa.gov.

Some health networks, including LVHN, will preregister patients for the vaccine and notify them when it is made available if they are signed up for an account with that network.

Can I call?

You can call the PA Health Hotline at 1-877-724-3258 for questions related to the vaccine.

FAQs from the Pennsylvania Department of Health

Q: Why should I get a COVID-19 vaccine?

A: Stopping a pandemic requires using all the tools available. Vaccines work with your immune system so your body will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. Other steps, like wearing masks and social distancing, help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others. Together, COVID-19 vaccination and following the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) recommendations to protect yourself and others will offer the best protection from COVID-19.

Q: How much vaccine is available?

A: The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine doses are minimal. This means that not everyone will be able to be vaccinated right away. It is understandable how concerning this would be for people, especially for those who are at increased risk for serious illness from this virus and for their loved ones. 

The goal is for everyone to be able to easily get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as large quantities are available. Several thousand vaccination providers will be available, including doctor's offices, retail pharmacies, hospitals and federally qualified health centers.

Q: Will the vaccine be mandatory?

A: ​No, the department does not have any plans to make the vaccine mandatory.

Q: Can you get the COVID-19 vaccine outside of your home state?

A: ​Yes, you can get the vaccine outside of your home state. 

For more FAQs, click here.

How will I know when it’s time for me to receive the second dose of vaccine? 

Health officials in Pennsylvania are working to teach providers how to use an electronic system to record vaccinations and track when people are due for a second shot.

For the most part, those who administer the vaccine will work to notify patients to schedule and receive their second shot.

Will I absolutely receive a second dose? 

Pfizer's vaccine is believed to be about 95% effective at preventing infection, but this immunity does not take effect overnight. Health care workers who get the vaccine this week will need a second dose in about 21 days, and then it takes another week for the vaccine to provide its maximum effectiveness.

Levine said the state’s electronic immunization tracking system, an essential tool needed to report anonymized data to the federal government.

Can I receive a vaccine from my primary care physician? 

Eventually, yes. According to the Department of Health, many pharmacies, health centers, doctor's offices, urgent care centers, and mass vaccination clinics will be vaccine providers when the vaccine becomes available to the general public.