The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) long-awaited Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Reporting Portal is now open for providers who need to report on the use of funds in Reporting Period 1. Providers who are required to report during Reporting Period 1 have until September 30, 2021, to enter the Portal and submit their information. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has provided an extensive reporting guide, example excel data entry sheets, and a new edition of the FAQs.

This toolkit from the HRSA-supported National Rural Health Resource Center helps rural community- and faith-based organizations, businesses, public health, schools, and health care organizations with internal and external COVID-19 vaccine communication materials. It provides easy access to customizable communication templates that include print ads, posters, brochures, social media posts and an online resource guide.

CDC updated their COVID-19 toolkit for pediatric healthcare professionals. CDC specifically updated their two fact sheets: COVID-19 Vaccines for Preteens and Teens and How mRNA Vaccines Work.

COVID-19 has claimed more than 600,000 lives in the U.S., and researchers estimate in JAMA Pediatrics that translates into more than 46,000 kids who have lost a parent. What surviving parents might not know is that children can receive survivor benefits when a parent dies if that parent worked long enough in a job that required payment of Social Security taxes. Only about half of the 2 million children in the U.S. who have lost a parent as of 2014 received the Social Security benefits to which they were entitled, according to a 2019 analysis by David Weaver of the Congressional Budget Office. Counselors said they find many families have no idea that children qualify for benefits when a working parent dies or don’t know how to sign up.

Department of Health Acting Secretary Alison Beam announced the COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard is now updated to better reflect the race and ethnicity of Pennsylvanians receiving the COVID-19 vaccine in the 66 counties outside of Philadelphia. The update to the dashboard can be found on the second page of the COVID-19 vaccine dashboard showing a county-specific view of demographics for people vaccinated by race, ethnicity, gender and age; it also includes a county ranking of the percent of residents in a given county that have received their vaccine. The demographic detail page was launched in late April. Until this week, the percentages displayed factored in the population of Philadelphia County. However, because Philadelphia County is designated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a separate vaccine jurisdiction, the Department of Health’s data does not include information on people vaccinated in Philadelphia. The demographic information will help identify any equity gaps in vaccine distribution so that DOH can work closely with trusted local partners and stakeholders to create and share information for those who may be hesitant about receiving the vaccine.

The Department of Health (DOH) notified providers that providers will no longer be able to request vaccines through the Weekly Vaccine Request Survey. All providers who want vaccines will be required to place orders for Pfizer (450 or 1170), Moderna, or Janssen directly into PA SIIS. The DOH team will review those orders and approve them daily for processing. Once orders are approved, providers will receive a confirmation email from PA SIIS/VTrcks. As a part of this transition, routine allocation letters will no longer be sent out from the DOH resource account. Providers will be able to check the status of shipment by logging in directly to PA SIIS. Providers may place orders more than once per week based on need. If providers run into any problems while placing the order and need support, please email the DOH resource account at ra-dhcovidvax@pa.gov or call DOH at 717-787-5681.