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JERSEY SHORE -- Geisinger and non-Geisinger patients who are eligible under the state Department of Health's phase 1A group can now get on a vaccine waitlist that has been created by Geisinger.
There are a number of ways to get on the waitlist for those who are eligible including over the phone, via MyGeisinger and also on Geisinger's website, www.geisinger.org/COVIDVax according to Allison Hess, vice president of health services.
"We want to make it as easy as possible," she said.
There are even vaccine appointments open at Jersey Shore Hospital.
"We are encouraging them to call in and talk to one of our representatives," Hess said. "We want to communicate to people to get signed up."
Geisinger patients can log into their MyGeisinger account and fill out the form or call the general COVID vaccine phone number at 570-284-3657.
Those who aren't Geisinger patients can log onto the COVID Vax site or can also call the phone number above to fill out the form and schedule their appointment.
If there are no appointments available, a Geisinger representative will take all of the information they need to call you back and schedule an appointment when they are available.
The goal with this process is to not only make scheduling appointments more efficient for patients interested in the vaccine but to also help decrease call volumes as they were very overwhelmed before.
"Before, we opened everything up and appointments filled very quickly," Hess said. "There was a huge influx to our call centers and significant wait times."
So far, Hess said that they have received "very positive" feedback and that everyone has been contacted back for appointments quickly and manageable wait times.
"Today, 75 percent of the doses (that Geisinger has received) have been administered to ages 60 and older," Hess added. She also noted that Geisinger has surpassed administering 200,000 vaccines.
Right now, Geisinger is mostly receiving shipments of Pfizer, but that could change as the distribution is determined by the state and federal governments.
Teachers who cannot get in through the Intermediate Unite vaccination clinics can sign up at Geisinger as well.
"We know that the demand is high," Hess said. "We are evolving our process and continuing to provide this much needed service."