Sign the Petition! Demand a COVID Vaccination Plan That Works

TAKE ACTION!

Sign Our Petition to Protect Older Rhode Islanders

Rhode Islanders age 50 and older continue to make up 97% of COVID related deaths and 76% of hospitalizations. A statewide centralized system for information and registration, where trained live operators will best meet the needs of many in this high-risk group, is essential, particularly for those who do not have access to the internet or someone to assist them. 

Tell Rhode Island’s leaders to get it right ASAP! End the vaccination chaos. Older Rhode Islanders need clarity and confidence in a system that works for them.

AARP Rhode Island’s Demands – A Roadmap for Improvement. 

Prioritize Older Residents - Since the start of the pandemic, nearly 95 percent of the deaths from COVID-19 have been among people age 50 and older. That is why it is critical that older adults be prioritized to receive these vaccines and the associated appointments. 

A Centralized, Equitable, Accessible, User-Friendly, Vaccination Appointment System - All consumers must have access to a one-stop means of scheduling a vaccination. This is key to ensuring transparency and effective vaccine distribution and program management. Critical elements of any system must include the elements below. 

1) a simple one stop appointment information and sign-up website requiring only minimum personal information 
 
2) a centralized, well-staffed, toll-free, phone number to ensure all citizens are able to find and register for vaccination appointments by telephone 
 
3) a variety of languages available to those seeking vaccination appointments. 
 
4) options for home bound individuals that bring the vaccine to them i.e. mobile clinics that are aligned with prioritization tiered approach. 
 
5) an effective appointment confirmation system is also critical – and that appointments made by phone are confirmed by phone 
 
6) an effective system for scheduling a second dose of the vaccine, as required 
 
7) a process to identify any accessibility issues that may need to be addressed 
 

Transparency of Data and Plans Related to Infections, Hospitalizations, Deaths, Vaccinations, and Appointments–citizens deserve a weekly, if not daily, update on all data available around the COVID 19 pandemic and the vaccination efforts in Rhode Island. A centralized appointment system is key to transparency and information needed to adjust and improve any vaccination efforts. The minimum data Rhode Island citizens should be updated on must include but not be limited to: 

1) Vaccination appointment system plans, challenges, and successes. 
 
2) List of Team Members and Vendors Developing and Managing Vaccination Program in RI 
 
3) An abundance of data that provides a dashboard for measuring vaccination progress as well as detailed data that tracks registration (appointments made, shots delivered, variances recorded) by zip code, age and race, as well web site and phone center performance data (including average caller wait times and average wait times at distribution sites). 

Now, it is time to end the confusion. Lives are at stake and older Rhode Islanders remain at risk. Multiple phone numbers and websites have led to a confusing and frustrating vaccine roll out. No one should have to navigate a vaccination matrix and many have no access to the Internet.

Sign the petition to end the vaccination chaos NOW. 
 
 
Form Label Field
Your Message
An Urgent Call to the Governor and Rhode Island Leaders
Dear Decision Maker,

I am a Rhode Islander who demands an end to COVID vaccination confusion and anxiety by:

Creating a statewide, centralized system for information and vaccination registration.

In addition to a single registration web site, provide a toll-free phone number that reaches trained, live operators who will assist callers in a variety of languages with registration so as to best meet the needs of all Rhode Islanders, particularly older Rhode Islanders who do not have access to the internet or someone to assist them.

The plan should fulfill AARP Rhode Island's COVID Vaccination "Roadmap for Improvement"

Get this right ASAP! End the vaccination chaos. Older Rhode Islanders and all Rhode Islanders -- need the clarity and confidence a centralized system will provide.

Signed,

[First Name] [Last Name]
[Your Address]