Geisinger Issues Alert About Scammers Posing as Vaccine Schedulers

Geisinger is alerting patients to recent reports of scammers trying to steal personal data by posing as COVID vaccine schedulers.

The suspected fraudulent activity involves automated calls and/or text messages or live callers reaching out to Geisinger patients under the guise of scheduling a COVID-19 vaccine. The scammers are asking patients for their name, date of birth and Social Security number in order to schedule a vaccine appointment.

The community and patients should be aware that Geisinger will never ask for a Social Security number, and if someone asks for it, it is a scam. Anyone receiving such a call should hang up or not respond.

For more information about this scam and to learn about ways to protect your personal information, visit geisinger.org/security. The webpage provides information about the latest security alerts from Geisinger. This includes more information about phone spoofing scams, ways to help protect yourself against becoming a scam victim, and how to contact Geisinger if you have an information security concern related to Geisinger.

As a reminder, never give out personal information, such as your Social Security number or medical record number, over the telephone — and do not rely on caller ID to be accurate. If you receive a call that is unexpected, suspicious or about which you have any doubts, you should hang up and call Geisinger directly at 800-275-6401 or check your myGeisinger account for messages.

COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Response Program

Skills in Scranton, the workforce development affiliate of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, and in partnership with the Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging, has launched a COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Response Program to match college students and recent graduates with Lackawanna County pharmacies and medical practices for temporary, non-clinical work related to COVID-19 vaccinations.

“Our organization is honored to support such a timely and historic program. The work that comes from this program not only provides young college students and professionals with real world experience, but will also make a significant impact on many lives in the Lackawanna County community,” said Bob Durkin, president of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce.

Whether you’re looking for supplemental employment or just want to make a difference, we encourage those who qualify to join the fight against COVID-19. The positions involve COVID-19 data administration functions as well as customer service support.

Eligible employees must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Be a resident of Lackawanna County and currently enrolled in a college or university or 2020 college or university graduate
  • Be a student currently enrolled in a Lackawanna County college or university and residing in Lackawanna County
  • Be a student currently enrolled at a Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce member college or university and living in Lackawanna County

The positions are available for immediate hire and will stay open on a rolling basis. Those interested in applying can visit www.scrantonchamber.com/vaccineprogram.

LEARN MORE

For more information on the COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Response Program contact Amy Luyster at aluyster@scrantonchamber.com or 570-342-7711.

COVID-19 Hospitalizations Improving, but Remain High Despite Vaccine Rollout

Despite daily hospitalizations declining and tens of thousands more members of our community receiving the vaccine, Geisinger continues to feel the strains of the pandemic and asks for patience during the vaccination process.

While COVID-19 activity continues to be high in central and northeastern Pennsylvania, Geisinger is seeing fewer positive COVID-19 tests, lower positivity rates and a reduction in overall hospitalizations, but our communities remain at levels we saw in late November.

  • Over the past two weeks, we’ve averaged about 200 positive COVID-19 tests per day, with an average positivity rate of about 14%.
  • That is down from an average of more than 400 new positive tests per day in December and a positivity rate as high as 23%.
  • This past week, we reached the milestone of having fewer than 200 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, getting as low as 185 earlier this week.
  • Our previous peak was more than 350 in late December.

“We are still in a tenuous place, so even a small increase in hospitalizations can put us into a troublesome capacity situation that jeopardizes care for COVID and non-COVID patients,” said Jaewon Ryu, M.D., J.D., Geisinger’s president and chief executive officer. “Despite the vaccination rollout underway, we can’t lose sight of the fact we’re still facing challenges in our hospitals. In the past week, we are still admitting more than one new patient with COVID-19 to our hospitals every hour.”

There is uncertainty surrounding available vaccine supply, and because of this, we cannot accept any new first dose appointments at this time. All existing appointments will continue as scheduled for the time being. We are working closely with the state to understand quantities we can expect going forward. We look forward to opening additional appointments as supply becomes available.

  • This week Geisinger provided its 50,000th COVID-19 vaccine.
  • About two-thirds of Geisinger employees have chosen to receive the vaccine.
  • We are encouraged by promising trends among the COVID-19 positivity rate for our employees since introducing the vaccine. Current positivity rates among employees are at levels comparable to last summer.

“Demand for the vaccine is still incredibly high in our communities, and we will continue to provide the vaccine as supplies and logistics allow,” Ryu said. “We know a lot of people continue to have questions about when they can get an appointment. We ask for everyone’s patience and encourage you to visit geisinger.org/COVIDvax and myGeisinger regularly for the latest information.”

Vaccine supply globally is fluctuating each week, but has been and will continue to be low over the next several weeks, increasing the time it will take to get through the state’s Phase 1A. That is why although vaccines are being provided across the Commonwealth each day, it remains necessary to continue following the preventive measures that have been in place to help stop the spread of the virus. Wearing a mask, thoroughly washing hands and avoiding large and small gatherings are still needed, as we are still likely months away from being able to loosen these measures.

For continued updates on the COVID-19 vaccine and updates on availability, visit geisinger.org/COVIDvax.

NEPIRC & IRC Network to Host Free Legal Aspects of COVID-19 Vaccination for Employers Webinar

In response to industry inquiries, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) and the Industrial Resource Center (IRC) Network will host a no-cost “Legal Aspects of COVID-19 Vaccination for Employers” webinar for manufacturing firms of all sizes on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM. The live interactive webinar will be broadcast via Microsoft Teams and advance registration is required.

The webinar will be moderated by NEPIRC and the featured presenter will be Atty. James Devine, a partner of Cipriani & Werner – a nationwide legal firm that specializes in representing employers in this niche aspect of HR and employment law. Among other topics, the event will cover the legal ramifications of mandating vaccination for employees, how to address the concerns of workers opposed to vaccination, the extent to which employers can disclose the vaccination status of co-workers and similar topics. Manufacturing sector managers, supervisors, HR professionals and executives desiring to register for the event should email CLICK HERE to immediately register. While the event is free to attend, electronic “seating” is limited to 250 attendees.

Geisinger Expanding COVID Vaccine Availability for Tier 1A Healthcare Personnel

Geisinger is continuing to provide the COVID-19 vaccine for healthcare personnel who qualify as part of the state’s Phase 1A groups by expanding administration with new community-based vaccine centers throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania.

Appointments are required to receive the vaccine, and can be made online using myGeisinger. A questionnaire must be completed prior to scheduling to ensure eligibility and for health screening purposes. Healthcare personnel must bring to their appointments their healthcare-related identification (certificate, license etc.) to verify eligibility as part of the state’s Phase 1A groups and a valid driver’s license.

Healthcare personnel who have been cared for by Geisinger or have Geisinger Health Plan insurance, but don’t have a myGeisinger account, can create one online. Those who haven’t been cared for by Geisinger and don’t have Geisinger Health Plan insurance or anyone under the age of 18 can call 570-284-3657 for help setting up an account.

In alignment with federal and state guidelines and as supplies, staffing and logistics allow, COVID vaccines will be available to all healthcare personnel who qualify as part of the state’s Phase 1A, including:

  • Chiropractors
  • Clinical personnel in school or university settings
  • Contracted healthcare personnel not directly employed by a health care facility
  • Dentists and dental hygienists
  • Direct support professionals
  • EMS
  • Medical students and trainees
  • Non-Geisinger providers and their staffs
  • Nurses, nursing assistants
  • Persons not directly involved in patient care but potentially exposed to infectious material that can transmit disease
  • Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians
  • Phlebotomists
  • Physicians
  • Technicians
  • Therapists

Geisinger is administering the Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna COVID vaccines. When scheduling appointments, it’s important to remember that two doses of the vaccine are required so healthcare personnel are encouraged to consider both doses when scheduling. The second dose of the Pfizer vaccine is needed 21 days after the first, and the second dose of the Moderna vaccine needed 28 days after the first. It’s required to receive both vaccines doses at the same location.

Vaccines also remain available to Geisinger staff. To date, Geisinger has provided about 15,000 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Even as the vaccine becomes more available in our communities, preventive measures to help stop the spread of the virus continue to be important. Everyone, including those who receive the vaccine, should continue to properly wear a mask, avoid group gatherings, maintain physical distancing and practice proper handwashing. For answers to questions about the vaccine, visit the Geisinger COVID-19 vaccine resources center at geisinger.org/COVIDvax.

Geisinger Employees Begin Receiving Second Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine

Geisinger’s health care heroes are now receiving their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Wednesday morning, exactly 21 days since vaccine doses first were given within the health system, employees returned and rolled up their sleeves to get their second dose.

In three weeks Geisinger has ramped up to the point of more than 1,000 vaccines per day over the past week, totaling approximately 12,000 people with their first dose of the COVID vaccine. When people get their first doses, they’re scheduled immediately to receive their second dose. Receiving that second dose is a critical step in the COVID vaccine process. Both doses are necessary to trigger the immune response needed to develop an immunity level against COVID- 19.

Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center nurse Tara Skutack was the first health care worker to receive the second vaccine dose on Wednesday at the hospital.

“I received the COVID vaccine for my family and patients,” Skutack said. “I’m excited for a better and healthier future. So far, I’m feeling great.”

Resident physician Muhammad Sabih Saleem, M.D., said he received the vaccine as a step in moving forward, and as someone who cares for COVID patients.

“I currently work in the intensive care unit and see COVID patients every day,” Saleem said. “It’s up to us to take this first step forward so that everyone else will join us when the vaccine becomes available to them. I feel relieved after getting the vaccine — we have been waiting for it for a long time. It’s a step towards a better future.”

Geisinger has been receiving the Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna vaccines at facilities over the past few weeks. The Pfizer vaccine was received first, and front-line employee vaccines began on December 16. Both vaccines require two doses, with the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine requiring a second dose 21 days after the first, and the Moderna vaccine requiring a second dose 28 days after the first.

Emergency medicine physician Luke Sullivan, D.O., said his family was a major motivator for why he received the vaccine.

“I got the COVID vaccine so I could safely take care of my patients and remain healthy while doing so,” Sullivan said. “I also got it for my 2-year-old, my wife who works in healthcare, and my elderly parents, who I haven’t been able to see. It feels awesome to have received my second dose and I look toward the future.”

In line with state guidelines and recommendations, Geisinger has been focusing on vaccinating its employees and healthcare workers. Geisinger is in the process of reaching out to EMS personnel and community providers to coordinate their vaccines, in alignment with the PA Department of Health order to use 10 percent of the vaccine supply to vaccinate those in Tier 1A. The vaccine is being administered as quickly as it can, but is completely dependent on supply, staffing and the logistics with distribution.

While it’s expected to be well into the year until the vaccine becomes widely available to the public, Geisinger is working to make it easy to receive both COVID vaccine doses, including making the vaccine available at no cost to patients.

With more shipments of the vaccines making their way to Geisinger and many in the community receiving the vaccine, Geisinger continues to encourage the preventive measures that have been stressed to help stop the spread of the virus as it’s expected to be well into the summer before vaccines are readily available for all community members. Everyone, including those who receive the vaccine, should continue to properly wear a mask, avoid group gatherings, maintain physical distancing and practice proper handwashing.

For answers to questions about the vaccine, visit the Geisinger COVID-19 vaccine resources center at geisinger.org/COVIDvax.

CUTLINES:

Skutack COVID vaccine: Nurse Tara Skutack receives the second dose of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday morning at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre. Skutack was one of the first Geisinger front-line healthcare workers to receive the first dose of the vaccine on December 16. Nurse Alison Krakosky administered this second dose.

Abbas COVID vaccine: Resident physician Sayeda Abbas, M.D., receives the second dose of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday morning. Given by nurse Alison Krakosky at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, Abbas was one of the first Geisinger employees to receive a COVID vaccine when it was first available on December 16.

Saleem COVID vaccine: Resident physician Muhammad Sabih Saleem, M.D., receives the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes- Barre. Saleem, one of the first front-line health care workers at Geisinger to receive a first dose, received this second dose of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine from nurse Alison Krakosky.

Sullivan COVID vaccine: Geisinger emergency medicine physician Luke Sullivan, D.O., rolls up his sleeve to receive the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday. Sullivan received the second dose of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine from nurse Alison Krakosky.