*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE* January 19, 2021 *Contact:* Amie M. Downs 412-350-3711 (office) 412-327-3700 (cell) Amie.Downs@AlleghenyCounty.us *Bogen Statement on Expansion of Phase 1A Vaccination Plan* *PITTSBURGH – *Health Department Director Dr. Debra Bogen released the following statement regarding the state’s announcement today to greatly expand those included in Phase 1A for COVID-19 vaccinations: “Moving those who are most vulnerable in our community up in priority is a step for which I advocated and support. We should be doing everything we can to reach those who are most at-risk in our community. “Unfortunately, the Health Department’s supply of vaccine – and the supply of vaccine coming into the county to all providers - is still extremely limited and unknown from week to week. For the past few weeks, fewer than 20,000 doses of vaccine per week were delivered to health care providers, organizations and pharmacies in the county, not including doses that went to the Federal Pharmacy Partnership to vaccinate in long-term care facilities. Until vaccine supply increases significantly, the Health Department strongly encourages organizations to – and supports those which have already indicated that they will – prioritize vaccinating those most at-risk for severe COVID-19 disease. “Accordingly, the department will continue to prioritize those in the original Phase 1A group for the time being. As noted in this morning’s vaccine update, there are still many organizations representing thousands of employees that have contacted the county and are still waiting for the vaccine. The department will continue to coordinate to provide vaccinations at its Monroeville site to meet that need. Healthcare workers eligible for Phase 1A vaccinations will receive a registration link from the county and can use that link to schedule a vaccine appointment. This link should not be shared outside the intended recipients. Anyone booking an appointment at the Monroeville site who is not authorized to do so will be turned away. Anyone without an appointment will also be turned away. “In the coming weeks, the Health Department will announce its revised plans for an expanded vaccine rollout. These plans will prioritize reaching those residents 75 and older and those 65 and older with specific health conditions through large vaccination clinics, mobile clinics and pop-up events.” For individuals that want more information when it becomes available, and regular updates, we have added a subscription to Allegheny Alerts called “COVID-19 Vaccination Information.” If you have already signed up for COVID-19 updates, you will also receive that information. Allegheny Alerts is a community notification system. Anyone can sign up for a free subscription and can choose what information they receive, and how they receive it – and that includes phone calls to residents who may not have a computer or smart phone. Visit alleghenycounty.us/alerts to sign up. # # # 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> Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, forwarding, or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message.