Coronavirus Vaccination In Delaware County: Latest Updates

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — Coronavirus vaccination efforts in Delaware County are progressing despite recent news of it and other counties receiving fewer doses than other areas in the state.

Below are the latest updates in vaccine administration in Delaware County.

How Many Have Gotten The Vaccine?

Since vaccination distribution began in late December, 41,234 partial and 37,343 full vaccination have been administered in Delaware County as of Friday. Delaware County has a population of roughly 566,747 according to census data.

Officials said the Delaware County government will vaccinate an estimated 2,000 people in Phase 1A per week, based on the number of doses allocated to the county by the state.

Who Gets Vaccinated And When?

The Chester County Health Department, which is overseeing Delaware County's health needs for the time being, is still in Phase 1A of vaccine distribution.

Phase 1A includes:

• Coroner, Medical Examiner, and Funeral Staff
• EMS Providers
• Healthcare Personnel
• Long-Term Care Residents
• Residents 65 and older and those ages 16 to 64 with certain underlying medical conditions were recently added to the 1A phase.

Below are the medical conditions that allow for 1A vaccination:

• Cancer
• Chronic kidney disease
• COPD
• Down Syndrome
• Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
• Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant or from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines
• Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or higher but < 40 kg/m2)
• Severe Obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2)
• Pregnancy
• Sickle cell disease
• Smoking
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Phase 1A accounts for 40 percent of Delaware County's population.

Despite the expanded 1A phase, additional vaccines are not being allocated to Delaware County.

Public health authorities have been unable to establish dates for the phased roll-outs because they must wait on vaccine supplies to arrive here.

Phase 1B includes:

• Clergy and other essential support for houses of worship
• Corrections Staff
• County and Municipal Administration Staff
• Educators/Education Staff
• Facilities and Sanitation Staff
• Firefighters
• Food and Agriculture Staff
• Grocery Store Staff
• Individuals caring for children or adults in early childhood and adult day programs.
• Individuals in congregate settings not otherwise specified as long-term care facilities and persons receiving home and community-based services
• Law Enforcement
• Manufacturing Staff
• Transit Staff
• U.S. Postal Service Staff

Residents seeking the vaccine can complete the Phase 1A and 1B Interest Survey. Complete the survey online here.

Those who already submitted the vaccine interest form for Phase 1B whose status has now been changed to Phase 1A do not need to fill out the survey again; information submitted for Phase 1B will be moved up to Phase 1A. Anyone who filled out the survey will be notified when appointment scheduling is available.

More information on the phases can be found here. Chester County's phased distribution of the vaccine is based on CDC research recommendations.

Delaware County got 2,900 Moderna vaccines and 1,170 Pfizer vaccines for this week, and expects to receive 1,700 Moderna vaccines, 2,300 Pfizer vaccines for Radnor, and 1,170 Pfizer vaccines for Springfield for next week.

As of March 5, Delaware County Government has requested a total of 31,710 vaccines and received a total of 15,510 vaccines.

In Delaware County, 38,549 people have had the coronavirus as of Friday. Additionally, 1,293 county residents have died of the coronavirus to date, and 802 of those who died were in long-term care, according to the latest data.

Where Can I Get Vaccinated?

Delaware County is running four vaccination sites.

They are the Delaware County Wellness Center, 125 Chester Ave. in Yeadon; the Aston Community Center, 3270 Concord Road in Aston; Keystone First Wellness Center, 1929 W. 9th St. in Chester; and Penn Medicine, 145 King of Prussia Road in Radnor.

The county recently entered a partnership with Springfield Hospital to use the hospital as a vaccination clinic. See details here.

Several Delaware County CVS locations are offering vaccinations, as well. See more information on where and when appointments are available online here.

Vaccinations at these locations are by appointment only.

A full list of public and private vaccination sites in Delaware County is available here.

Hospitals around the county are also vaccinating staff as part of Phase 1A.

Residents are also encouraged to monitor the Pennsylvania Vaccine Provider Map for other possible locations of vaccine providers in the county.

Additional Information

The county has a COVID-19 Call Center that will help residents, businesses, and organizations with coronavirus-related issues, such as testing and vaccinations.

The center can be reached at 484-276-2100 or by emailing Covid19Resources@co.delaware.pa.us from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Get more details on the call center here.

Officials reiterated the vaccine is not a cure for the virus. Rather, it is another tool in the fight against the virus. The public is urged not to relax other safety precautions because vaccines are available.

Health officials encourage everyone to continue to wear a mask, wash or sanitize hands often and practice 6-foot distancing to help keep the virus from spreading.

There is no cost to be vaccinated, according to officials.