April 01, 2021 - HARRISBURG, PA
An amended Department of Health order indicating that certain vaccine providers must work with local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to schedule vaccination appointments for older adults eligible in Phase 1A of the state's vaccination plan is reaping measurable results, as reported to the Department of Aging.On a media briefing call, the department was joined by several AAAs who described progress made on their vaccination waiting lists, as well as continuing partnership efforts to help every older adult in their local service area who wants a vaccine to get one."We're very pleased with early progress reports we've heard about these AAA - vaccine provider partnerships forged through the Department of Health's amended order just in the last week. Area Agencies on Aging now have vaccine provider partners to work directly with in order to secure appointments for older adults," said Aging Secretary Robert Torres. "Waiting lists of older adults who had reached out to their AAA because they don't have access to a computer and need assistance are starting to move. These are precisely the older adults we need to reach. These AAAs are great examples of what we're seeing on the ground and we anticipate hearing more of these success stories as a result of these partnerships."