The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH), in conjunction with the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force, announced Wednesday that eligibility for the COVID-19 is expanding.

A special initiative to vaccinate targeted industry workers is on the agenda, followed by an accelerated timetable for those in Phases 1B, 1C and 2. By late April, all Pennsylvania residents will be eligible to receive the vaccine.

“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 said. “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.”

As of Wednesday, workers in law enforcement (police, sheriffs, deputies, probation and parole officers and corrections officers and staff); firefighters (career and volunteer), grocery store workers and food and agriculture workers (those in food processing and all farmworkers) are eligible to receive the vaccine.

Beginning April 5, all residents in Phase 1B, which includes U.S. Postal Service workers, manufacturing workers, clergy and other essential support for houses of worship, public transit workers and individuals caring for children or adults in early childhood and adult day programs.

Meanwhile, April 12 all residents in Phase 1C will be eligible to register. Those residents include: Transportation and logistics, water and wastewater, food service, housing construction, finance, including bank tellers, information technology, communications, energy, including nuclear reactors, legal services, Federal, state, county and local government workers, including county election workers, elected officials and members of the judiciary and their staff, media, Public safety and Public health workers.

On April 19, all Pennsylvanians will be eligible to register for a vaccine. While this does not guarantee an immediate appointment, it does allow for any resident who wants a vaccine to get their name on a waiting list to do so.

“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,” Beam said.

A statement from the McKean County Commissioners’ office shared that the waiting list is growing, but residents are encouraged to register in order to provide officials with a better idea of who remains in need.

“McKean County EMA currently has just over 200 registered on their Vaccine Waiting List. The public is asked to register for vaccinations in order to have a centralized data bank for any vaccines that are allocated to any of the county providers,” County officials said. “Anyone wishing to be vaccinated should call to be on the county coordinated Vaccine Waiting List. Priority will be given by eligibility, starting with those in 1A until everyone who is on the list in that category has been provided an appointment.”

Volunteers are needed to help with ongoing Waiting List registration and to assist with mass vaccination clinics.

Anyone wanting a vaccine should register with the Vaccine Waiting List at 814-887-3443 or on the county website. The phone line is staffed with volunteers on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

The public may also register directly with any one of the five providers. It is also important to understand the requirements of the dosage and to commit to the second dose for Moderna and Pfizer. Those who secure a first dose or a single dose, are asked to remove their names from other waiting lists to expedite the updating process.

“Providing vaccinations continues to be the priority of all involved in the McKean County rollout. The allocation of vaccines remains a rapidly changing process and is not controlled at the county level,” the statement said. “Given the fluid nature of the vaccine landscape, local providers and officials ask the public to continue to prepare for upcoming allocations.”