PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has rolled out the latest version of its COVID-19 vaccination timetable that includes setting a date of April 19 for all residents to start scheduling their appointments. Between now and then, workers in four targeted industries are at the head of the line.

“The vaccine landscape continues to evolve as the federal government is increasing allocations to more retail pharmacy chains across the country,” ​Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam says. “To ensure that vaccine continues to get to people efficiently and equitably, Pennsylvania is adapting its plan to allow workers in targeted industries to access any of the three vaccines available at providers throughout the state, and to accelerate our eligibility for remaining phases of the state’s vaccination plan.

Those industries are:

• Law enforcement, which includes police, sheriffs and deputies, constables, corrections officers and staff, as well as probation and parole staff.
• Firefighters, including career and volunteer firefighters.
• Grocery store workers.
• Food and agriculture workers, including all food processing company employees, fresh fruit and vegetable packing operations, food manufacturing, farmworkers, farm operators and farm managers, including at urban agriculture operations.

The remainder of the vaccination timetable will be rolled out in three consecutive weeks in April.

• April 5: All residents in Phase 1B will be eligible to start scheduling vaccination appointments.
• April 12: All residents in Phase 1C will be eligible.
• April 19: All residents will be eligible.

A breakdown of who is covered in the various phases can be found here.

“It is important to remember that eligibility does not guarantee an immediate vaccination appointment,” Beam says. “Vaccine providers are ready and eager to get a shot in the arm of every person who wants one while we continue to aggressively advocate for more vaccine.”

To find the vaccine provider closest to you, use the Department of Health’s Vaccine Provider Map. The department will continue to update the map as the federal government increases the number of pharmacy chains receiving the vaccine through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Partnership.

People without internet access can contact the toll-free Health Hotline by calling 877-PA-HEALTH (877/724-3258).