Public Health Preparedness Updates from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health

Check out the latest news, tips, and developments from the Department of Public Health as the fall season approaches in order for older Philadelphians to remain independent and safe.

The Latest News

• Order free COVID tests!
  • Starting Monday, September 25 the federal government will re-open its free COVID-19 test kit program.
  • 4 free test kits per household.
  • Stock up now so you have tests available if you need them.
  • Kits will be available to order from: https://www.covid.gov/tests

• Updated COVID Vaccines
  • Many people across the United States are finding it hard to find their COVID vaccine, especially pediatric doses.
  • Since the federal government approved the new COVID vaccine on September 12, pharmacies, doctor’s offices, and clinics have been ordering it. However, with so many places looking to get the vaccine it’s been rather slow in coming.
• PDPH recommends everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated. 
• As vaccine supply makes its way to Philadelphia, PDPH recommends:
  • Call ahead to make sure your vaccine provider has a vaccine for you.
  • Parents should also consider waiting until the end of September before seeking out a pediatric dose of COVID vaccine to make sure that it’s available.
  • Confirm that your insurance considers your vaccine provider “in network.” Insurance providers are now able to charge for “out of network” vaccinations.

• Information about COVID-19 in Philadelphia is regularly updated at: https://www.phila.gov/covid

• COVID Test Recall
  • The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is notifying residents who received what they believe to be Flowflex COVID-19 Antigen Home Tests to check the lot numbers on those tests.
    • If the lot number shown is COV2110012, they should throw the tests away.
    • Replacement tests are available from any of the five Health Department Resource Hubs: https://bit.ly/ResourceHubsPHL
• The Health Department is doing the following in response to this recall:
  • Conducting a full inventory check of all COVID-19 tests in stock to ensure that they are valid.
  • Developing new procedures to confirm lot numbers and expiration date prior to shipment from our vendor.
  • Working with the vendor to replace all invalid tests.
  • The Health Department has also notified other health departments across the country to be aware of this problem and to check their stores.
• For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/COVIDtestRecall0923 

The Latest Events

• PDPH Fall Respiratory Health Update
  • Tuesday, September 26
  • 11am – 12pm
  • Everyone is welcome, ASL interpretation available
  • Flyer is attached, please share with your networks!
  • Register and join at: http://www.bit.ly/pdph-fall-webinars

• Block Captain Fall Respiratory Health Workshops
  • A workshop for Block Captains to learn about COVID-19, seasonal flu and available resources to keep your neighbors healthy this fall.
    • Register for all 3 at: http://www.bit.ly/FallWorkshopBC23
• In-Person:
• Victory Christian Center 5220 Whitby Ave., 19143
  • Tuesday, October 24th
  • 6:00 – 7:00PM

• HACE’s Casa Indiana Community Room 2935 N 2nd St., 19133
  • Thursday, October 26th
  • 6:00 – 7:00PM (Doors open at 5:30PM)

• Virtual:
  • Thursday, October 19th
  • 6:00-7:00PM
  • Join at: http://www.bit.ly/BCvirtualTraining 

Public Health Preparedness: Resources and Services

• Sign up for Ready Philadelphia
  • To receive free text alerts to your phone on emergencies or severe weather, text “ReadyPhila” to 888-777.
  • Be the first to know, then spread the word to family and neighbors.

• Text-to-911 in Philadelphia: https://bit.ly/PATextTo911
  • Individuals who are Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and those who face communication barriers can use this service to send a text message to 911.

PDPH Information

• PDPH COVID-19 website and social media
  • Information on the ending of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency declarations: https://bit.ly/PHEendPHL 
  • Latest information from PDPH:
    • phila.gov/COVID, Facebook, and Twitter.

• PDPH Call Center:
  • Call 215-685-5488, Press 3 for interpretation in your language, press 2 for Spanish. Dial 711 for TRS/TTY assistance.

How to Stay Connected

• Join the Community Response Partner Network
  • This newsletter is sent to the Community Response Partner Network, part of the PDPH Public Health Preparedness Program.
  • Sign up at https://bit.ly/phlcommunityresponse to get essential public health information, then pass it on to your family, friends, and community.

• Questions or suggestions?
  • Email us at publichealthpreparedness@phila.gov
  • Leave a message with the Public Health Preparedness Program Outreach Team at 215-429-3016.