EPGN:  LGBTQ health organizations in Philadelphia have begun to vaccinate staff for COVID-19 and are eager to expand their reach. The Mazzoni Center, whose staff serves 7,600 patients, has inoculated close to 100 employees after receiving their first batch of vaccines, and they anticipate receiving another large shipment by Tuesday of this week. 

“We are using a phased approach to prioritize order of vaccinations per city guidelines,” said Larry Benjamin, Director of Communications at Mazzoni Center. “Phase 1 eligible staff includes the staff and management of Prevention, Care Services and the Health Center because they have direct patient/client contact. Phase 2 eligible staff include staff who do not have direct patient/client interaction and/or who work remotely. Phase 3 will be for Mazzoni Center patients. We have already started vaccinating patients who are health care providers and will continue to do so.”

Statewide, the Wolf Administration recently expanded eligibility for the vaccine, including for people living with HIV. The Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center, along with the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania, LGBT Center of Central Pennsylvania, Philadelphia FIGHT, The SERO Project, and the William Way LGBT Community Center sent the letter to Dr. Levine and the Wolf Administration in Harrisburg asking for those living with HIV to be included in the initial vaccinations.