*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE* February 19, 2021 *Contact:* Amie M. Downs 412-350-3711 (office) 412-327-3700 (cell) Amie.Downs@AlleghenyCounty.us *Health Department Announces Vaccine Plan Adjustments Based on Supply* *PITTSBURGH – *The state Department of Health announced earlier this week that there has been a delay in the shipment of vaccine due to recent inclement weather as well as a shortage of Moderna vaccines for second doses impacting supply. As a result, the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) today began contacting affected individuals with its plan for the scheduling of second doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. This information affects only those individuals who received their first doses from the Health Department. ACHD typically receives notification on Fridays that a supply of vaccine has shipped, and the vaccine typically arrives on Tuesday or Wednesday. The customary notification was not received today, and the vaccine shipment that should have arrived earlier this week was not. Based on that, ACHD does not have in its possession enough vaccine, nor assurances that it would receive enough vaccine, to provide second doses for all those who are reaching the 28-day minimum time period during the coming week. ACHD is scheduling appointments for vaccine based on the limited supply of vaccine that it has on hand. Emails were sent today to individuals who received their first doses at the Monroeville vaccination clinic on January 25 and 26 and are due for their second doses on February 22 and 23 that contained second dose registration links. Those individuals will be vaccinated on Monday and Tuesday. The links sent are for second doses only, and the doses available through these links have been set aside to fulfill second dose needs. These links are intended for use by only those individuals due for second doses at the Monroeville vaccination clinic on those days and should not be forwarded to others. Anyone who makes an appointment using one of those links who was not an intended recipient will have their appointment canceled and will be turned away at the Monroeville vaccination clinic. If an individual is due for their second dose on February 22 or 23 at the Monroeville vaccination clinic and did not receive an email containing links, they should call 2-1-1 to register for their appointment by phone. The Health Department today also sent an email to individuals due for their second doses between February 24 and 27 at the Monroeville vaccination clinic advising that appointments are not yet available for them. Links for their second dose appointments will be sent once the supply of vaccine is confirmed. These second doses will be provided within the CDC recommendation of up to 6 weeks after the first dose. Additional Points of Dispensing (PODs) for other Phase 1A healthcare and frontline staff that were scheduled for next week will be rescheduled. Those impacted received an email today notifying them of this change. These healthcare workers and frontline staff will receive their second dose within the CDC-recommended guidance of up to 6 weeks after the first dose. At this time, no first dose clinics with vaccine administered or provided by the ACHD will be scheduled for next week. This includes appointments at both the Monroeville and Castle Shannon PODs as well as other sites. That may change pending receipt of supply or additional guidance from the state. Any resulting change will be announced publicly. “The supply of vaccine in Pennsylvania faces two challenges at this moment, a string of bad weather delaying shipment and a shortage for second doses. The county Health Department is committed to being a good partner and part of the solution as the state responds to these challenges,” ACHD Director Dr. Debra Bogen said. “The priorities of the ACHD during this period are to create as little disruption as possible for those due for their second doses and to fully vaccinate those 65 and older, who are at the greatest risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19.” In Allegheny County, 90% of the deaths and 65% of the hospitalizations have occurred among those 65 years old and older. The plan announced today affects only individuals who received their vaccines through ACHD and not individuals who received their vaccines through other providers. The state has assured providers that the appropriate supply of doses will be available. Individuals who need to schedule their second dose should work with the provider or location where they received the first dose. Requests for a second dose cannot be accommodated by other providers. The Health Department will continue to schedule the second vaccine in the series for individuals who received their first vaccine from an ACHD POD. While the recent announcement by the state may mean that there may be some delay in when the second vaccine is administered, these potential changes remain in line with guidance from the CDC which recommends that vaccines may be administered up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first dose. It is important to note that there is no difference between a first and second dose of the vaccine. While the language that has been used to talk about the vaccine series has referred to “first shot” and “second shot,” these vaccinations are identical. A person who receives a “second shot” was given the exact same thing as a person who received a “first shot.” It is the same vaccine, in the same way, provided both times. The reference to first or second pertains to supply chain management. It does not reflect different medications or anything else that would impact the health of a person being vaccinated. When applied to an individual, it simply indicates whether it’s that person’s first or second shot in the series. Again, they are identical. Anyone with questions regarding COVID-19, the vaccine or scheduling their second dose should call 2-1-1 for more information and to be connected to available resources. # # # Debra L. Bogen, MD, Director *Allegheny County Health Department – Public Information Office* 542 Fourth Avenue │ Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Phone: 412-687-ACHD (2243) │ Fax: 412-578-8325 www.alleghenycounty.us/healthdepartment *Follow us:* allegheny alerts <http://www.alleghenycounty.us/alerts>* | * facebook <http://www.facebook.com/AlleghenyCountyHealth>* | *instagram <http://www.instagram.com/alleghenycounty>* | *linkedin <http://www.linkedin.com/company/allegheny-county>* | *twitter <http://twitter.com/HealthAllegheny>* | *youtube <http://www.youtube.com/AlleghenyCounty> -- *Highland Park Community Council* Visit our website by clicking here. <https://hpccpgh.org/>
