COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs
The Montgomery County Office of Public Health (OPH) is scheduling appointments for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for individuals in Phase 1a, which includes qualifying healthcare staff who live or work in Montgomery County. For questions about Registration, Appointments, and Provider Enrollment, please see below.
How can I volunteer at the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics?
We would be happy to have you join the Montgomery County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). Both medical and non-medical volunteers can serve through the MRC for Montgomery County’s COVID volunteer response. To register for the MRC, go to the ServPA website, https://serv.pa.gov
Once your profile is complete, you will receive a notification that your ServPA registration is complete. The Montgomery County MRC has a COVID-19 task force group that MRC members will join to help support with COVID-19 requests. Being a part of the MRC COVID-19 task force group will allow all members to receive COVID-19 volunteer specific requests.
Your ServPA profile will help ensure your information is up to date for future volunteer opportunities. We appreciate your commitment to join the Montgomery County MRC team.
Where is COVID-19 vaccine available in Montgomery County?
Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional COVID-19 Vaccine Providers
Where do I learn more about COVID-19 Vaccine and Montgomery County’s vaccination plan?
Information about the COVID-19 vaccine can be found here - www.montcopa.org/covid-19vaccine. Please use this link to learn more about the vaccine and the most up-to-date information, including qualifying groups of people in each phase. This webpage will be updated as additional information becomes available.
Who qualifies to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Phase 1a?
Phase 1A; Healthcare Personnel: “Health care personnel” are defined by ACIP as paid and unpaid persons serving in health care settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials. These health care personnel (HCP) may include, but are not limited to, emergency medical service personnel, nurses, nursing assistants, physicians, dentists, dental hygienists, chiropractors, therapists, phlebotomists, pharmacists, technicians, pharmacy technicians, health professions students and trainees, direct support professionals, clinical personnel in school settings or correctional facilities, contractual HCP not directly employed by the health care facility, and persons (e.g., clerical, laboratory, dietary, environmental services, laundry, security, maintenance, engineering and facilities management, mortuary, administrative, billing, clergy when working in health care settings, regulatory staff who perform on-site assessments in hospitals and facilities that meet the definition of Phase 1A long-term care facilities, long-term care ombudsmen, Older Adult Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, and Child Protective Services staff that are required to do on-site assessments in hospitals and facilities that meet the definition of Phase 1A long-term care facilities, and volunteer personnel) not directly involved in patient care but potentially exposed to infectious material that can transmit disease among or from health care personnel and patients. “Health care settings” refers to the CDC definition of the places where health care is delivered and includes, but is not limited to, acute care facilities, long term care facilities, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, nursing home and assisted living facilities, home healthcare, vehicles where health care is delivered (e.g., mobile clinics), and outpatient facilities, such as dialysis centers, physician offices, adult day facilities and other sites.
Phase 1A: Long-term care facilities (LTCFs): “Long-term care facilities” are defined by ACIP as facilities that provide a spectrum of medical and non-medical services to frail or older adults unable to reside independently in the community. In Pennsylvania, facilities that may serve frail or older adults in a residential setting include 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.
CAN I COMPLETE THE SURVEY AS AN INDIVIDUAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER?
Individuals who work in the healthcare industry may apply as an individual. Business Name would be your Name. Business contact information would be your contact information. Please click here - www.montcopa.org/covid-19vaccine - to complete the survey.
I SUBMITTED THE SURVEY AND HAVEN’T HEARD BACK.
The Office of Public Health is reviewing the responses and will send a registration link to people in the 1A category, which will take them to an appointment system. The current turnaround time is one week. Appointment confirmation and a medical license, badge, or paystub verifying employment will be required to receive a vaccination.
Can I pre-register for Phase 1B and 1C?
Pre-registration is open for:
- People who are 65 years of age or older, OR
- Individuals who have health conditions that qualify them for Phase 1B or 1C
Click here to complete the pre-registration form.
When will people in Phases 1B, 1C, and 2 be able to receive the vaccine?
As soon as we are able to start vaccinating those in Phases 1B, 1C, and 2 we will announce that publicly through the media, on our COVID-19 Vaccine webpage - www.montcopa.org/covid-19vaccine and on social media. It is hard to predict when this will be because we have no certainty about how much vaccine we are receiving each week. We ask for your patience during this time when vaccine supply is limited.
Why isn’t my disease listed as an increased risk of severe illness?
The ACIP and PADOH have decided to only include those conditions that ARE associated with increased risk. The CDC classifies high risk conditions into two groups:
Individuals ARE at increased risk of severe illness:
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Down Syndrome
- Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
- Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
- Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or higher but < 40 kg/m2)
- Severe Obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2)
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease
- Smoking
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Individuals MIGHT BE at risk of severe illness:
- Asthma (moderate-to-severe)
- Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Hypertension or high blood pressure
- Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines
- Neurologic conditions, such as dementia
- Liver disease
- Overweight (BMI > 25 kg/m2, but < 30 kg/m2)
- Pulmonary fibrosis (having damaged or scarred lung tissues)
- Thalassemia (a type of blood disorder)
- Type 1 diabetes mellitus
How do I cancel my appointment?
Appointments can be cancelled using the link located in your confirmation email.
Why can I only reschedule an appointment for the same day?
Each clinic is associated with a unique link. If you want a different day, you must have a different link. Appointments can be rescheduled using the link located in your confirmation email.
How do I know where to go once I receive confirmation of my appointment?
You will receive a reminder by email the day before the clinic to provide information on the building, entrance, and parking.
When will I be able to sign up for my 2nd dose?
If you received your first dose at our clinic, you will be notified by the Office of Public Health. Please watch your email inbox and spam for this email address - no-reply@multistatep4p.com. If you received your first dose at another clinic, you will be notified by that organization.
I keep getting stuck on the first page of registration. Why?
Please note that the registration system does not support Microsoft Internet Explorer. You will need to use a different browser.
- Please open Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
- Go back to your email and copy the link for the date you want from the email.
- Paste it into the address bar at the very top of either Chrome or Edge (NOT the [Search] box) and proceed from there. This should fix the problem.
The boxes on the insurance page will not accept my information. Why?
If the boxes are gray, they are not required. Select [Save & Continue] to move forward.
Can you take my reservation or reschedule me over the phone?
To make a reservation or be rescheduled for another day, you must use the link you received from your employer or the Office of Public Health for the specific day you want.
Before submitting, please check your form to make sure all information is correct.
A confirmation is sent to a valid e-mail address.
Entering Your Date of Birth
To enter your date of birth, please use the calendar. The date of birth format is YYYY/MM/DD. To eliminate errors, use the calendar to indicate your birthdate. If used properly, your age is automatically calculated in the next field.
Entering Your Address
Please check to make sure your address is correct before submitting. Vaccines are provided to those who live or work in Montgomery County. A valid Montgomery County address is needed before an appointment link is sent.
If your confirmation shows an address outside of Montgomery County, your pre-registration form will likely be rejected. You should submit a new form with the correct address.
E-mail Confirmation
If you do not receive an e-mail confirmation, check your spam folder first. If the confirmation is not there, resubmit the form and make sure you use a valid e-mail address before submitting again.
Error after completing the form
If you receive an error after completing the form, refresh your browser and complete the form again.
How do I enroll as a COVID-19 vaccine provider?
To receive and administer the COVID-19 vaccine, providers must be credentialed/licensed in Pennsylvania; sign and agree to the conditions in the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Program Provider Agreement, and fully complete the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Provider Profile form for each location where COVID-19 vaccine will be administered.
Please visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s website for more information or if you have questions, you may email or call 717-787-5681.
Where do I send the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Provider Agreement form once it is completed?
Click here to email provider agreement forms.