Butler agency working to simplify COVID-19 vaccination appointment process

BUTLER, Pa. — Trying to scheduled a COVID-19 vaccine appointment without a computer or the internet is a challenge, especially for people like the elderly who may not be well-versed in navigating the web. The Butler County Area Agency on Aging is working to help seniors get over that hurdle.

“We started getting calls from these individuals saying, ‘I can’t register. I don’t know where to register. What should I do?’ Or we were getting calls from the hospital saying, ‘We have individuals that are very difficult for us to schedule. They are hard to community with. They are unable to use our system. Can you help?’,” Beth Harold with the organization said.

Harold said her agency can be a last resort for the elderly population. The hope is they have a family member or friend who could help them log on to schedule the vaccination. If there is no one to help, the agency can help. Harold said they field more than 60 calls each day and were able to help 57 seniors schedule their vaccine appointment on Thursday.

“When they do have a limited number of spots available, they will notify us. And the list that we have of those individuals with technology deficits, we will then call and assist them with registration paperwork and then give them to the hospital. The hospital has given us a few spots and we will slot them in,” Harold said.

Harold said as soon as more vaccine doses become available, the office will schedule the hundreds of people who are still waiting to get them.

Pennsylvania now has a phone number people can call if they fall under the Phase 1A criteria and do not have internet access: 1-877-724-3258. You will be able to find out where the vaccine might be available near you through the phone number. You will still have to call your doctor or that facility/store/hospital, etc., to schedule your appointment.

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