Centralized system for scheduling COVID-19 vaccines being shot down by Wolf administration

PITTSBURGH — An idea some people believe would make it easier for Pennsylvanians to get appointments for COVID-19 vaccines is being shot down by Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration.

A centralized system for scheduling appointments is being used by West Virginia, the state leading the nation with its vaccine rollout. The system even contacts people to set up appointments, making sure vaccine doses are being used instead of going to waste.

Pennsylvania is not using such a system. The state ranks 40th in the percentage of allocated vaccine doses that have been administered.

A state House hearing was held Wednesday in Harrisburg about the vaccination process and why it’s not going so well in the Keystone State.

While the thought of a one-stop shop system is being thrown around, the Wolf administration said that wouldn’t solve the problem -- which it says is the supply.

However, the acting health secretary said they are working on improving the vaccine portal on the state’s website.

Even still, groups of people are taking it upon themselves to crowdsource where vaccines are in stock. It’s happening across the country, including in Pennsylvania.

University of Pittsburgh students launched a website, vaccinatepa.org, to show where vaccines are available. It also lets people know if an appointment is needed, or if they can walk in. In addition, it shows which hospital systems say they have the vaccine, but are currently unavailable.

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Cox Media Group