20210310-04A: Prioritizing COVID Vaccine appointments to People Aged 70 and Older. — original pdf

Recommendation

1 COMMISSION ON SENIORS RECOMMENDATION Recommendation Number: 20210310-04A: Prioritizing COVID Vaccine appointments to People Aged 70 and Older. WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented health challenges; WHEREAS, COVID-19 vaccine immunizations reduce risks of infirmity and death, and provide significant protection from COVID-19 virus infection; WHEREAS, the vaccination of people age 65+, a critical population group, is a priority while in Phase 1-B; WHEREAS, as of February 23, 2021, 10,880 residents in the 80-plus age group had not received an appointment yet after pre-registering through Austin Public Health; another 37,434 people in the 70 to 79 age group had not received an appointment; and another 48,912 in the 60 to 69 age group had not received an appointment. WHEREAS, with the addition of teachers and childcare workers it is expected demand will continue to exceed supply in Phase 1-B at least for the near term; and WHEREAS, news stories document the difficulty for some older adults in registering for a vaccine appointment and service providers have shared frustrations with the vaccine registration system, including the email registration process, over-capacity phone lines and lengthy wait times and that it is difficult for service providers to help older adults schedule vaccine appointments. It is hereby RESOLVED that: The Commission on Seniors requests the City Council direct Austin Public Health to: • Continue to focus on the prioritization of the 65 and older population, and especially those age 70 and older, before proceeding to the next Phase; • Continue to provide and expand the support necessary to gain access to vaccines for these critical population groups, including: • Expand capacity for mobile vaccinations targeting homebound older adults and homebound people with disabilities • Expand capacity for scheduling appointments via telephone • Allow service providers who work with older adults to help clients register for appointments • Allow service providers to register clients who do not have their own email address • Allow secondary contacts, such as family and service providers, who can regularly check • Provide vaccines to volunteer drivers with organizations that commit to driving older email for notification of appointments adults to vaccine appointments Vote 13-0 For: Briesemeister, Varteressian, Bordie, Cagle, Garcia-Pittman, Hauser, Jackson, Kareithi, Lugo, Nicola, Temperley, Van Sickle, Spain Against: None Abstain: None Absent: Angel Attest: Janee Briesemeister, Chair 2