Pennsylvania Republicans Press Governor Wolf to Address Failures of State Vaccine Rollout

Washington, D.C. - Given that a majority of Pennsylvania seniors in long-term care facilities have yet to receive their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and health care providers across the state continue expressing concern about a lack of communication with the PA Department of Health, several members of Pennsylvania's Republican delegation today wrote Governor Tom Wolf inquiring about his administration's plan to address the many failures of the vaccine rollout.

The letter was signed by Representatives Mike Kelly (PA-16), Dan Meuser (PA-9), Scott Perry (PA-10), Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), Fred Keller (PA-12), John Joyce (PA-13), Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), and Glenn Thompson (PA-15).

"It has been three months since Pennsylvania began administering the vaccine to those in Phase 1-A," wrote the congressmen. Despite the initial plan, the vaccine was not made available for those in long-term care settings until two weeks after it was first directed to Pennsylvania’s hospitals and health systems. And today, the majority of those in long-term care have yet to receive their second dose. The vaccine rollout has failed to protect the most vulnerable during this pandemic.

"Furthermore, in hospitals statewide, administrators are concerned about the lack of communication from the Pennsylvania Department of Health regarding the vaccine supply."

A copy of the letter can be found here. The text of the letter is below.

Background and Key Facts

• On December 11, 2020, the Pennsylvania COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force released a three-phased COVID-19 Interim Vaccination Plan. Seniors in long-term care facilities were included in Phase 1-A, yet most are not yet fully vaccinated. More than half of deaths to COVID-19 in the Commonwealth are linked to long-term care facilities, leading to questions about why this population has not been properly prioritized.
• Health care providers across Pennsylvania have indicated frustration about vaccine supply, insufficient staffing levels to administer the vaccine in large numbers, and poor communication from the state Department of Health about addressing these challenges.
• Pennsylvanians are still experiencing problems with appointment websites and a lack of guidance for seniors currently eligible for the vaccine.

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The Honorable Tom Wolf
Governor of Pennsylvania
Room 225 Main Building Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120

March 9, 2021

Governor Wolf,

We write to request details about the Commonwealth’s distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. Specifically, we’ve heard from long-term care providers, hospitals, and pharmacies throughout the state, all expressing frustration with the vaccine distribution and its challenges related to our most vulnerable populations.  Just this week Acting Secretary Beam admitted that errors were made in undersupplying the vaccine to certain counties in the Commonwealth. 

As you know, on December 11, 2020, the Pennsylvania COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force released a COVID-19 Interim Vaccination Plan. That document outlined a three-phased vaccination program, detailing different categories and priorities based on profession, age, and overall health. Residents in long-term care facilities, as well as those caring for them, were included in that plan’s first phase—Phase 1-A.

It has been three months since Pennsylvania began administering the vaccine to those in Phase 1-A. Despite the initial plan, the vaccine was not made available for those in long-term care settings until two weeks after it was first directed to Pennsylvania’s hospitals and health systems. And today, the majority of those in long-term care have yet to receive their second dose. The vaccine rollout has failed to protect the most vulnerable during this pandemic.

Furthermore, in hospitals statewide, administrators are concerned about the lack of communication from the Pennsylvania Department of Health regarding the vaccine supply.  Also, hospitals themselves do not have an adequate number of staff to administer the volume of vaccines expected of them..

Pharmacies have done their best to accommodate vaccine appointments, yet our offices have been inundated by phone calls with complaints of being kicked off appointment websites and expressing frustration with the limited guidance for those over 65 who are currently vaccine eligible. 

A well-written plan means nothing if the Commonwealth is unable to execute it.

In light of our concerns, we ask you to provide information sufficient to answer the following questions by no later than March 15, 2021:

1. Given that less than 20% of the Commonwealth’s available vaccines have been allocated to long-term care thus far, when will the vaccine allocation be prioritized and increased in long-term care settings?
2. What is the Commonwealth doing about a lack of manpower for vaccine administration?
3. Is the Commonwealth maximizing utilization of licensed medical professionals statewide for vaccine distribution?
4. What protections are in place to make sure the same undersupply problem does not happen again?
5. When will lawmakers and the public see results from the Vaccine Joint Task Force?
6. Has the Commonwealth considered incorporating best practices from states that have been successful in quickly and efficiently distributing vaccines?

Pennsylvania needs a plan for mass vaccination in this state: sites, clinics, and distributors.  The Commonwealth needs to acknowledge its early mistakes and build off of them.  Repeating past errors for those in future phases of the vaccine plan is unacceptable.  We must decrease the number of cases in our communities, and increase the likelihood of a better, safer tomorrow for all Pennsylvanians.

We look forward to your reply.

CC: Acting Secretary Beam

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