Posted: | February 13, 2021 02:04 PM |
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From: | Senator Lindsey M. Williams and Sen. Maria Collett, Sen. Katie J. Muth, Sen. Amanda M. Cappelletti |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | COVID-19 Vaccine Registry |
For the past few weeks, like our colleagues in the House, our offices have been inundated with calls and emails from frustrated and frightened constituents who are desperate to protect themselves and their families by accessing the COVID-19 vaccine. Despite our calls for a statewide database that would allow our constituents to register for their COVID-19 vaccination, we have been told that restrictions of our Commonwealth do not permit us to create a statewide database of available appointments. This lack of a statewide database has created a system where even the most tech-savvy of our Pennsylvanian seniors struggle to navigate a complicated process of trying to find a local provider who has both vaccines AND appointments available for administration. That is why we will be introducing companion legislation to Representatives Bizzarro, Snyder, O'Mara, and Davis's House bill in the Senate that will allow Pennsylvanians to register themselves and their loved ones as willing recipients of the COVID-19 vaccine, provide proof of eligibility for a risk category, and provide how far they are willing to travel to receive their vaccination. For example, under this legislation, you and your spouse or significant other can register at the same time, add any risk categories such as smoking or pre-existing medical conditions, note first responder or essential worker status, and delineate how far you are willing to travel to secure a vaccine. Vaccine providers will then have to register to access this database and give priority to these individuals in making appointments available. This legislation will reduce frustration, eliminate the need to spend hours searching for appointments and permit prioritization of vaccine distribution to our most vulnerable citizens. We encourage you to co-sponsor this vital piece of legislation. |
Introduced as SB451