COVID-19 Vaccine

Most of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 mitigation orders expire on Memorial Day. Several public health and medical professionals say this is a reasonable step.

On today’s program: State Rep. Mark Rozzi explains what it would mean for his bill, giving survivors of childhood sexual abuse two years to sue perpetrators, to pass; and a Lancaster County health administrator explains how they’re making inroads to vaccinate the Amish and Plain communities.

The effort comes on the heels of a Jefferson Health study that identified intellectual disability as the biggest risk factor for COVID-19 mortality, following age.

Pennsylvania health care providers are turning their attention to harder to reach populations, including Amish and conservative Mennonite communities living in more rural parts of the state. Health care providers say they are adjusting their strategies and working with church groups to encourage people to get vaccinated.

Pittsburgh-based researchers find that vaccine hesitancy correlates with certain occupations, including mining, fishing and forestry.

The Wolf administration has pleaded with college students to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible. But the question of where to get a second dose if a student leaves campus before their next appointment has left some students confused; others are holding off on getting vaccinated at all.

Organizations meet new needs of people they have already built trust with.

On this week's Explainer: WITF's Brett Sholtis on a push to get conservative voters vaccinated in Pa.; Government and accountability editor Chris Potter brings the latest on Pittsburgh's mayoral race; and education reporter Sarah Schneider says students are coming back to classrooms, but a bus shortage could complicate their return.

Only 49% of staff at Pennsylvania’s personal care homes and assisted living facilities have gotten COVID-19 vaccines, according to the state Department of Human Services. Officials speculated that lack of information and high staff turnover rates could be contributing to the low vaccine uptake.

On today’s program: A recent investigation by SpotlightPA and Kaiser Health News found some drug and alcohol addiction treatment facilities in the state repeatedly violated state rules and continued operating; Pittsburgh Mercy’s distribution of COVID-19 vaccines has been complicated by a pause in administering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine; and a part of the slowdown in COVID-19 vaccinations can be traced to hesitancy among Republican-leaning communities.