The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) received $249.95 million in new appropriations to fund a second round of the Commission’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program.  This program started last spring with a $200M appropriation in the CARES Act.  The Commission seeks public comment by Tuesday, January 19 on planning Round 2, such as priorities and metrics for awardee selection and how to streamline selection administration.  Details of the solicitation and comment filing process are in the FCC’s official request for information.

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services renewed the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration for an additional 90 days, effective January 21, 2021.

Stopping a pandemic requires using all the tools available. Vaccines are safe, effective, and the best way to protect  you and those around you from serious illnesses. Vaccines work with your immune system so your body will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. Other steps, such as wearing masks and social distancing, help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others. Together, COVID-19 vaccination and following the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) recommendations to protect yourself and others will offer the best protection from COVID-19. In Pennsylvania, the COVID-19 vaccine will be distributed in a phased approach.

• View the Department of Health COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard

Vaccine Allocation & Eligibility

In order to facilitate vaccine distribution across Pennsylvania, Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine signed an an order on December 30, 2020, directing at least 10 percent of each vaccine shipment to hospitals, health systems, federally-qualified health centers, and pharmacies be designated for non-hospital affiliated health care personnel who would otherwise be included in Phase 1A of Pennsylvania’s Interim Vaccination Plan.

Health care personnel as defined in Phase 1A:

• Physicians, nurses, nursing assistants, technicians, therapists, phlebotomists, emergency medical service personnel, direct support professionals (in-home and community-based services and adult day facilities), staff of long-term care facilities that have residents prioritized in 1A, staff in residential care providers serving children, pharmacists, clinical personnel in school-settings or correctional facilities, contractual staff working in but not employed by the health care facility, and people who are not involved in patient care who could be exposed to COVID-19 like dietary, environmental services, laundry, security, maintenance, facilities management, and other administrative staff as defined in the Interim Vaccination Plan.

Long-term care facilities as defined in Phase 1A includes:
Note: Long-term care facility staff are considered health care personnel and long-term care facility residents are also in Phase 1A.

• Skilled Nursing Facilities, Personal Care Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Private Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities, Community Group Homes, Residential Treatment Facilities for Adults, Long-term Structured Residences, State Veterans Homes, State Centers, private psychiatric hospitals, and State Hospitals.

Federal Pharmacy Partnership Program Update

The Federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Facilities is expanding to start vaccinating personal care homes and assisted living facilities also covered through Phase 1A. Facilities registered to be vaccinated through the partnership will be contacted by either CVS or Walgreens to schedule vaccination. More information can be found from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Finding a Vaccine Provider

• View the Pennsylvania Vaccine Provider Map

The Department of Health recently released a map of providers that can administer a COVID-19 vaccine to anyone covered by Phase 1A. Anyone covered under Phase 1A that has not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine can contact any of these providers to check availability and schedule their vaccination, but we encourage providers to contact sites and coordinate for their employees who are eligible. Employees should be prepared to show proof of employment.

*NOTE: Long-term care facility staff and residents may be eligible for the Federal Pharmacy Partnership Program for Long-Term Care facilities. The Federal Pharmacy Partnership Program is currently prioritizing skilled nursing facilities at this time. If your facility is enrolled in the program, CVS and Walgreens may have already reached out to schedule a vaccination date with your facility. However, if your facility has not already scheduled a vaccination date with CVS or Walgreens, your facility is encouraged to contact your local vaccine provider available at the above link. The Department of Human Services and Department of Health are also working together on additional solutions to expedite vaccine distribution to DHS-licensed facilities.

Additional Vaccine Resources

• Questions? Call the PA Health Hotline at 1-877-724-3258.
• Pennsylvania Vaccination Plan Feedback Form
• Department of Health Vaccine Toolkit 
• COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet for Individuals in Phase 1
• COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ

COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ: Long-Term Facilities

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf urged the General Assembly to act now to allocate $145 million that is available now to provide much needed support to Pennsylvania businesses that have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 public health crisis.

Governor Wolf, joined by Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia/Delaware), noted that it has been three weeks since the governor initiated a transfer of $145 million to be appropriated by the state legislature into grants for businesses. This transfer requires legislative authorization to appropriate the funding to make grants for businesses.

“This pandemic has brought us many challenges, but we have the means in front of us to help Pennsylvanians overcome one of those challenges,” Gov. Wolf said. “We all need the Republican-led General Assembly to step up and do their part. Republican leaders have failed to act thus far and that has to change. They need to act quickly because businesses need this help now.”

“It is not mitigation efforts but rather inaction on assistance programs that is putting permanent ‘Closed’ signs on the doors of business across the state,” Costa said. “This $145 million is an important step to helping our small business community through this difficult time. The Senate Democrats are ready to vote yes on the plan as soon as we are back to session.

“For nearly a year now our local businesses have been struggling to keep their doors open,” McClinton said. “These are the neighborhood businesses that create the jobs, sponsor the little league team, let the Girl Scouts sell cookies out front and are the backbone of the communities they serve. They deserve our help and we’re going to deliver the help they need.”

Since the start of the pandemic, the Wolf Administration has provided for more than $525 million in relief to businesses and non-profits in addition to federal support through programs such as the Paycheck Protection Program.

The governor said the Republican legislature, rather than prioritize supporting businesses, has instead focused its efforts over the past few weeks on spreading disinformation about the 2020 General Election, delaying the swearing-in of a Democratic senator who won his election, and trying to find ways to disenfranchise voters.

“The General Assembly must commit to working together to get this money into the hands of businesses that need it. Delaying now, when the funds have already been transferred, only harms working Pennsylvanians,” Gov. Wolf said. “The money is available and ready to be distributed, and our businesses can’t afford to wait.”

Pennsylvania First Lady Frances Wolf announced One Lens: Sharing Our Common Views, a statewide virtual photo exhibit she is launching to document the story of Pennsylvania throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The exhibit will celebrate the hard work and commitment of all Pennsylvanians as we continue our fight against COVID-19.

More information about the exhibit and how to participate can be found here.

“We are living through an extraordinary moment right now,” said First Lady Wolf. “How we live, how we communicate, and how we educate our children have changed drastically since last March, but we all still yearn for a sense of community because that’s what reminds us of our own strength and tenacity. The One Lens exhibit is an extended community for Pennsylvanians, one where we can share our stories with our neighbors from every corner of the state, inspire each other, and help each other heal while creating our history of this time.”

One Lens, the brainchild of First Lady Wolf, highlights the importance of preserving history by encouraging Pennsylvanians to share their experiences during COVID-19 through photography. The submitted images will be displayed for public viewing and saved as visual documentation of the pandemic. By using photography as the medium to tell these stories, One Lens also emphasizes using art as a tool for Pennsylvanians to cope and to heal. The exhibit covers three themes:

• Our Heroes, paying homage to the pandemic heroes who cannot stay home;
• Our Lives, looking at how we spend our time when no one is watching; and
• Our Communities, showcasing Pennsylvanians uniting in the face of a global      health crisis.

The photo submission period will open on Monday, February 8, 2021 and remain open until Monday, March 8, 2021. The full exhibit will be released on Friday, March 19, 2021.

In preparation of the exhibit, five ambassadors were selected to represent the central, northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest regions of the state. These regional ambassadors will use their strong connection to their regions to ensure that the One Lens exhibit will truly reflect the experiences of Pennsylvania’s diverse, vibrant, and resilient communities.

 One Lens Regional Ambassadors:

Shannon Maldonado (southeast) is the founder and creative director of YOWIE, a creative platform and design studio founded in 2016. After over a decade working in fashion, she created the storefront and design studio to showcase emerging artists and create spaces that evoke emotion and discovery.

 Matthew Galluzzo (southwest) has dedicated his entire career to Pittsburgh and its neighborhoods. In September 2019 he joined Riverlife as president and CEO, and leads a transformative agenda for creating, activating, and celebrating Pittsburgh’s riverfronts.

 Porcha Johnson (central) has six years of experience in health advocacy, motivating women to live healthier lifestyles, as well as 13 years of experience as a TV news reporter and anchor. Her strong background in television news helped her connect with women and girls all around the country through Black Girl Health (BGH), a company she founded in 2014.

 James Hamill (northeast) is the Director of Public Relations for the Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau, the destination marketing organization for Wayne, Pike, Monroe and Carbon counties. Hamill helps create content for the various platforms at the PMVB including social media, television and web.

Ceasar Westbrook (northwest) is a Pennsylvania-based artist and teacher in Erie. Currently, he does commissioned work for various collectors throughout the country, including well-known celebrities, musicians, and government officials.

State Resources

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
• Clean surfaces frequently.
• Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
• If you must go out, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.
• Download the COVID Alert PA app and make your phone part of the fight. The free app can be found in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store by searching for “covid alert pa”.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics

• Daily COVID-19 Report
• Press releases regarding coronavirus
• Latest information on the coronavirus
• Photos of the state’s lab in Exton (for download and use)
• Coronavirus and preparedness graphics (located at the bottom of the page)
• Community preparedness and procedures materials

A helpline is available 24/7 and was established to help people navigate the impacts and stresses related to COVID-19. This is a free resource staffed by skilled and compassionate counselors available to counsel Pennsylvanians struggling with anxiety and other challenging emotions. Attached are flyers in both English and Spanish. Please use and distribute as you see fit.

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and their partners have many resources on how to keep health care workers safe during this time of vaccine administration. There is information on how to reduce sharps injuries and what to do if you have a sharps injury:

CDC/NIOSH Resources

• Ensuring the Proper PPE when Administering COVID-19 Vaccine
• Preparing Your Practice for COVID-19 Vaccination
• Preventing Needlesticks in Health Care Settings (Also Available in Spanish)
• Preventing Needlesticks and Sharps Injuries 
• Stop Sticks Campaign
• What Every Worker Should Know: How to Protect Yourself from Needlestick Injuries

OSHA Resources

• Bloodborne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention
• Healthcare Wide Hazards Needlestick/Sharps Injuries

The Pandemic Operational Recovery Guide for Health Centers and Free Clinics was written to assist health centers and free clinics in identifying and minimizing risks as they recover from operational disruptions related to a pandemic. The handbook contains links to tools as well as links to additional resources for a more comprehensive discussion of individual topics. Readers can refer to descriptive “Strategy” headings in each section, and consult the recommendations, tools, and resources that follow for more detailed information. Although some tools and resources focus on the COVID-19 pandemic, they can be adapted to respond to other public health emergencies.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health is providing additional guidance through Health Alert 545 – 01-06-ADV for providers on COVID-19 vaccination. The information in this HAN should be used to supplement other relevant guidance documents and guide the implementation of public health expectations for vaccine providers. Key messages included in the guidance:

• There are two mRNA vaccines with 90-95% efficacy in preventing clinical COVID-19 currently available through an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the FDA in the United States.
• The only absolute contraindication to COVID-19 vaccination is history of an immediate allergic reaction to either COVID-19 vaccine or any of their components.
• Severe adverse reactions are uncommon, but vaccine providers should be prepared for this rare event.
• Vaccine providers should report all adverse events following vaccination to Vaccine Adverse Event Recording System (VAERS).
• All COVID-19 mitigation measures should continue to be followed after vaccination.

Click here to access all the Pennsylvania health alerts, advisories and updates.