COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout

The House Democratic Policy Committee faced vaccine rollout challenges head-on with a hearing to discuss distribution.

The meeting was held virtually from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8 and can be viewed below or via the Policy Committee’s Facebook account --@padempolicy. 

Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro and members aimed to learn more about current rollout procedures and how the state could improve distribution as vaccine supplies are allocated.  

The committee heard from testifiers providing perspective from nursing homes, hospitals, counties and rural communities.

 

 

Virtual Hearing: COVID Vaccine Rollout

(February 4, 2021)

The House Democratic Policy Committee will face vaccine rollout challenges head-on with a hearing to discuss distribution. The meeting will be held virtually from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8 and can be viewed at www.pahouse.com/policy or via the Policy Committee’s Facebook account -- @padempolicy. The media and public are invited to tune in. Media questions can be submitted to policy@pahouse.net . Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro and members hope to learn more about current rollout procedures and how the state can support distribution as vaccine supplies are allocated. The committee will hear from testifiers that can provide perspective from nursing homes, hospitals, counties and rural communities. Read more

 

Hearing Agenda and Testimony

External Link >>>

COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout

(February 8, 2021)

Testimony from the February 8, 2021 House Democratic Policy Committee hearing discussing the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Read more

 

Media Advisories, News Releases Related to Public Hearings 

Vaccine shortage and technology demands highlight of House Democratic Policy Committee

(February 8, 2021)

HARRISBURG | Feb. 8 – General consensus among testifiers at today’s House Democratic Policy Committee highlights that vaccine supply and scheduling limitations are the primary source of delays in Pennsylvania vaccination efforts. “Pennsylvanians need a more streamlined approach to ensuring we can get people vaccinated and return to some semblance of normal,” Bizzarro explained. Those tasked with administering vaccines at the state and county levels, including pharmacies, reiterated that there are not enough vaccines being allocated to meet demand, especially with the recent expansion of the 1A group. County officials shared the strain they have experienced with dwindling employee complements expected to tackle the pandemic and other ongoing public health issues that remain. Keara Klinepeter, executive deputy secretary at the Pennsylvania Department of Health; Barry Niccolai, executive director of Centerville Clinics; and Vicky Kistler, director of health for the city of Allentown, provided deep insight into how the state and local governments are working to distribute the vaccines that Pennsylvania does receive. “I greatly appreciate the efforts at the state, local and business level to join forces and do everything in their power to secure vaccines from the federal government and efficiently distribute them,” Bizzarro said. Hospital system representatives, including Dr. Charles Barbera and Kathy Reeves, shared their concerns Read more

 

COVID-19 vaccine rollout subject of Monday’s Democratic Policy Committee hearing

(February 4, 2021)

HARRISBURG | Feb. 4 – The House Democratic Policy Committee will face vaccine rollout challenges head-on with a hearing to discuss distribution. The meeting will be held virtually from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8 and can be viewed at www.pahouse.com/policy or via the Policy Committee’s Facebook account -- @padempolicy. The media and public are invited to tune in. Media questions can be submitted to policy@pahouse.net . Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro and members hope to learn more about current rollout procedures and how the state can support distribution as vaccine supplies are allocated. The committee will hear from testifiers that can provide perspective from nursing homes, hospitals, counties and rural communities. Read more

 
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Pennsylvania’s vaccine rollout continues to raise questions, concerns for long-term care providers

(February 8, 2021)

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Concerned with the prioritization of the COVID-19 vaccine, Pennsylvania Health Care Association (PHCA) president and CEO, Zach Shamberg, testified before a House Democratic Policy Committee hearing today to address ongoing challenges facing long-term care providers now, and in the coming months. Read more

 
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Pa.’s botched vaccine rollout is causing ‘tremendous anxiety and mistrust

(February 22, 2021)

The bill mirrors a House proposal sponsored by House Democratic Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, and three more lawmakers. Read more

 
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Vaccine hesitancy an issue in long-term care facilities in Pa.

(February 16, 2021)

“The nursing home crisis is now more urgent and deadly than it’s ever been,” Matt Yarnell, of SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, testified Tuesday at a Pennsylvania House Democratic Policy Committee hearing. Read more

 
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House Democratic Policy Committee holds hearing about COVID vaccine rollout

(February 10, 2021)

Harrisburg, Pa. – On Monday, Pennsylvania's House Democratic Policy Committee held a hearing regarding the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in the Commonwealth. In general, testifiers at the hearing agreed that supply shortages and scheduling limitations are the main sources of delays in vaccination efforts. Testifiers included representatives from CVS, Walgreens,... Read more

 
External Link >>>

COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Subject of Monday’s Democratic Policy Committee Hearing

(February 5, 2021)

HARRISBURG, PA — The House Democratic Policy Committee will face vaccine rollout challenges head-on with a hearing to discuss distribution. Read more

 
External Link >>>

House Democratic Policy Committee holds hearing about COVID vaccine rollout

(February 10, 2021)

Harrisburg, Pa. – On Monday, Pennsylvania's House Democratic Policy Committee held a hearing regarding the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in the Commonwealth. In general, testifiers at the hearing agreed that supply shortages and scheduling limitations are the main sources of delays in vaccination efforts. Read more