COVID-19 UPDATE: Resources, information, and helpful tips to protect you and your family!

Message from Senator Katie Muth

I know the current situation can be emotionally draining and overwhelming at times. While we cannot control many aspects of this ordeal, my staff and I will continue to serve a prominent role in providing you all with information and assistance. My team and I can help alleviate some of the confusion, fear, and frustration people are dealing with, many of which, have questions about their economic security and health.

My offices are always available by phone and email.  We are also open for in-person services BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. We have suspended walk-in constituent services until further notice. We may not have all of the answers in the moment, but I’m confident that my team will work hard to help as many people as we can, in a thoughtful, compassionate, and timely manner.

Here you will find links to helpful bits of information, updates, and resources as it pertains to COVID-19. We will continue to share new information through E-blasts and Twitter and Facebook as we receive it to ensure you, your family, schools, and small businesses navigate through this pandemic. If you need assistance, please call my office at 610-792-2137 or send an email to senatormuth@pasenate.com.

Vaccination Phases

Phase 1: Potentially Limited Doses Available

Phase 1 vaccine administration applies when initial doses of vaccine first become available and are in limited supply (very limited supply initially) compared to demand. With this occurring, DOH, following CDC and ACIP recommendations, has divided Phase 1 into Phase 1A, 1B and 1C. The focus is on the target populations advised by the CDC to include: 

  • Those most essential in sustaining the ongoing COVID-19 response; 
  • Those at greatest risk of severe illness and death, and their caregivers; 
  • Those most essential to maintaining core societal functions; 
  • Health care personnel likely to be exposed to or treat people with COVID-19; and 
  • Other essential workers. 
PHASE 1A

Populations considered for Phase 1A include select populations from the following categories:

More details found on Pages 13-14 of the PA Interim Vaccination Plan

Senator Muth’s office at (610) 792-2137 or email: senatormuth@pasenate.com

PHASE 1B

Populations considered for Phase 1B include select populations from the following categories:

First Responders: Refers to only those first responders who are on scene, cannot work remotely or maintain physical distancing and need to work closely to the public. 

  • Law enforcement 
  • Fire/rescue personnel 
  • PA National Guard 
  • Emergency and other relief services sector 
  • Regulatory staff that are required to do on-site assessments of the 1B congregate care settings 

Frontline Essential Workers: Maintain services and functions Pennsylvanians depend on daily. Within each sector, refers to only essential workers who cannot work remotely or maintain physical distancing and need to work in close proximity to the public. 

  • Correctional officers and other workers serving people in congregate care settings including:
    • Domestic violence/rape crisis shelters 
    • Office of Children, Youth, and Families Child Residential Facilities
    • Homeless Shelters
  • Food and agricultural workers 
  • Veterinarians 
  • U.S. Postal Service workers 
  • Manufacturing workers 
  • Grocery store workers 
  • Education workers 
  • Clergy and other essential support for houses of worship 
  • Public transit workers 
  • Early Childhood Program workers 
    • Child Care
    • Part Day School Age Programs
    • Home Visiting Programs
    • Early Intervention staff
    • Early Childhood programs including Head Start, Pre-K, and Family Center

Phase 1B: Highest risk for severe disease: 

  • Persons in Congregate Settings not Otherwise Specified as a LTCF and Persons Receiving Home and Community-Based Services. 
    • Behavioral Health/Rehabilitation Facilities
    • Community Residential Rehabilitation Services
    • Correctional Facilities
    • Juvenile Justice Facilities
    • Domestic Violence Shelters
    • Homeless Shelters or Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
    • Intensive or Partial Treatment Programs
    • Office of Developmental Programs Home and Community-Based Services
    • Office of Long-Term Living Home and Community-Based Services
    • Office of Children, Youth and Families Child Residential Facilities

More details found on Pages 14-16 of the PA Interim Vaccination Plan

Senator Muth’s office at (610) 792-2137 or email: senatormuth@pasenate.com

Phase 1C: High Risk for Severe Disease

Phase 1C: Essential workers: Essential workers who do not meet criteria to make them eligible in Phase 1A or 1B will be vaccinated in this phase. “Essential workers” refers to the ACIP’s definition that can be found here and is based on the U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency’s guidance. This only includes workers who are essential to continue critical infrastructure and maintain the services and functions Americans depend on daily and workers who cannot perform their duties remotely and must work in close proximity to the public. Version 5.0 of the Pennsylvania Interim Vaccination Plan includes further alignment with the CDC’s Interim List of Essential Workers Mapped to Standardized Industry Codes and Titles. Industries that are not delineated in Pennsylvania’s plan will follow the CDC’s assigned vaccination phase. Pennsylvania has adopted the CDC’s vaccination phase assignment of standardized industry codes and titles. Industries that are not delineated in Pennsylvania’s plan will follow the CDC’s assigned vaccination phase. Sectors recommended by ACIP for vaccination in Phase 1C include, but are not limited to: 

  • Transportation and Logistics 
  • Water and Wastewater 
  • Food Service 
  • Shelter and Housing 
  • Finance, including bank tellers and insurance carriers 
  • Information Technology and Communication 
  • Energy, including Nuclear Reactors 
  • Legal 
  • Federal, state, county and local government workers, including county election workers, elected officials and members of the judiciary and their staff 
  • News Media 
  • Public Safety 
  • Public Health Workers

More details found on Pages 16-17 of the PA Interim Vaccination Plan

Senator Muth’s office at (610) 792-2137 or email: senatormuth@pasenate.com

Phase 2: Expanded supply of vaccine available

Pennsylvania is planning for expanding supply of vaccine for individuals who are not already eligible and vaccinated within Phase 1 to receive initial doses. On December 22, 2020, ACIP recommended to vaccinate any individual over the age of 16 who agrees and does not have a contraindication for the vaccine. Note that at this time, only the Pfizer-BioNTech product is approved for those ages 16 and 17.

More details found on Page 17 of the PA Interim Vaccination Plan

Senator Muth’s office at (610) 792-2137 or email: senatormuth@pasenate.com

Registration for Vaccine

Montgomery County

Chester County

Berks County – There is no county level registration system for Berks county and residents are encouraged to follow state guidelines for which phase(s) are being served.

Vaccine Town Hall

Resources

Additional Resources

Department of Health Resources

LIVE daily briefings from the PA Department of Health:
pacast.com/live/doh or www.governor.pa.gov/live/ or watch on Facebook

Download COVID Alert PA App
COVID-19 Public Health Complaint Form
Get Tested for COVID-19
Learn More about the COVID Vaccine
COVID-10 Data for PA
Information on Travel
Early Warning Dashboard
Translated COVID-19 Resources
Information on Contact Tracing
COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard