Update to the Recent COVID-19 Vaccination Process

Meadville, PA – Meadville Medical Center (MMC) today shared an update to the recent COVID-19 vaccination process.

Delays in shipping and reduced allocations of second doses of the Pfizer vaccine from the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) has resulted in four points of distribution (PODs) to be rescheduled. The distributions that have been affected to date are:

• February 18, 2021: 864 individuals were scheduled to receive a 1^st dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
• February 20, 2021: 1,117 individuals were scheduled to receive a 2^nd dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
• February 22, 2021: 625 individuals were scheduled to receive a 2^nd dose of the Pfizer vaccine
• February 24, 2021: 327 individuals were scheduled to receive a 2^nd dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

In total, 2,933 individuals have been affected by these delays.

Due to issues in other areas in the Commonwealth with managing 1^st and 2^nd dose administration the DOH is now mandating specific use of vaccine, whether it be 1^st or 2^nd dose, and has prioritized distributing 1^st doses ahead of 2^nd doses.

When a distribution center is sent a new shipment of vaccines the DOH requires that they be used for either 1^st or 2^nd doses. This requirement, along with a lack of supply, leads to some individuals being able to receive their 1^st dose before those who have already been delayed and rescheduled are able to receive their 2^nd dose.

MMC received a shipment of 1,170 doses from Pfizer on February 22nd. The DOH earmarked those vaccines to be used for 1^st doses only so the February 18^th point of distribution was rescheduled to February 24^th and was completed.

MMC then received a second shipment of 1,170 Pfizer vaccines on February 24th which has also been earmarked by the DOH for 1^st dose administration. These vaccines will be administered on February 27th. The priority is being given to anyone staff are able to contact and schedule from the existing waiting list. Then at 10:00 AM on February 26^th, the general public will have an opportunity to register at www.mmchs.org/vaccinePOD. Please note: MMC’s Crawford County Vaccination call center has no additional information besides what is included at this webpage and vaccines will continue to be administered by appointment only.

The last known shipment MMC is scheduled to receive has been earmarked by the DOH for 2^nd dose administration. Individuals who were scheduled to receive a second vaccine on February 20^th are being rescheduled at their original appointment time to March 3^rd. This event will be held at St. Mary’s Community Center.

MMC has not received confirmation from Pfizer nor the DOH of any additional shipments of vaccine for 2^nd doses. MMC has applied to receive three shipments, totaling 3,500 doses, to administer to individuals who were scheduled on February 22^nd and 24^th, and those who are currently scheduled on March 6^th. Registration for the distribution will be announced once MMC receives the shipment and the process by which people can register will be shared at that time.

Anyone who is scheduled for a second dose on March 1, 2021 will still be scheduled as originally set because the 1^st dose distribution was done in partnership with vaccines from the Titusville Area Hospital.