In an effort to get Pennsylvanian's vaccinated quickly, the state Department of Health Acting Secretary Alison Beam issued a COVID-19 vaccine order on Friday.
Among other things, the order requires providers to administer at least 80% of their first doses of the vaccine within one week of receiving them.
Beam says they'll initially reduce the amount of vaccine providers based on those who can follow these new measures. She said "200 to 300 providers will be actually be able to avail themselves of the vaccine as we move forward in this narrowing of the provider network."
Providers who can't meet the new measures may have their allocation of first doses reduced, or temporarily suspended. The state says second doses are secure.
The new order news comes after much criticism about the slow rollout of the vaccine in Pennsylvania.
“I understand how frustrating the current vaccine process can seem and we have heard from many Pennsylvanians that are struggling to schedule an appointment,” Acting Secretary Beam said. “As there is very limited COVID-19 vaccine supply compared to demand, every possible effort must be made so that the vaccine received in the commonwealth is effectively administered. To achieve this goal, I am issuing an order outlining appropriate steps and recognized best practices to ensure vaccine providers are effectively meeting the goal of vaccinating Pennsylvanians and creating a healthy Pennsylvania for all.”
Also, starting February 19th, all providers must have an online AND phone scheduling system. "Vaccine providers can and must make sure that they if they are scheduling appointments, that they make those appointments accessible to all who are eligible," said Beam.
The phone scheduling systems must have real people on the other end. The state says a centralized registration system remains off the table.
Governor Wolf on Thursday acknowledged that the state has to do better with its rollout plan, but cautioned against comparing Pennsylvania to other states. He said "Every state is different and has different needs, just like every community in Pennsylvania has different needs."
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This COVID-19 vaccination order rescinds and replaces a previous order put in place by then-Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine at the end of 2020 which required providers to vaccinate "vaccination of health care personnel, both connected to the vaccine providers, and in surrounding communities, first, in order to vaccinate those in health and life saving roles who do or have the risk of coming into contact with the virus as part of their job duties."
Read the full text of the new vaccine order from the health department here.