Latest Coronavirus Vaccine Updates For Delaware County

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — Almost 39,000 people have gotten the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine in Delaware County. While vaccination efforts are ongoing, much time and effort is needed to provide more people more doses.

Below are the latest updates in vaccine rollout in the county.

How Many Have Gotten The Vaccine?

Since vaccination distribution began in late December, 38,625 partial and 20,741 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.

In fact, this week Delaware County officials were informed by state health officials that the number of Moderna vaccines allocated to vaccine providers in Pennsylvania, including the Delaware County government, would be less than expected.

"The continued shortfall in vaccine availability has been attributed, in part, to some pharmacy providers inadvertently vaccinating first dose individuals using vaccine that was supposed to be allocated for use as a second dose," officials said in a news release Wednesday. "This error has left the State with a larger than expected population of partially- vaccinated individuals now in need of a second dose."

Due to the shortage, the county closed its vaccine sites in Aston and Yeadon this week. Residents who had vaccine appointments this week were initially rescheduled for Saturday at the Aston Community Center.

However, the county will not be getting vaccines this week, leading officials to cancel Saturday appointments. People who were scheduled to receive a second dose Satruday will be contacted by email or phone to reschedule their appointment when vaccine delivery from the state has been confirmed.

Providers using the Pfizer vaccine, which includes hospitals, are not impacted by the reduction in vaccine.

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.

In Delaware County,36,919 people have had the coronavirus as of Thursday. Additionally, 1,250 county residents have died of the coronavirus to date, and 792 of those who died were in long-term care, according to the latest data.

Where Can I Get Vaccinated?

The Delaware County Wellness Center, located at 125 Chester Ave. in Yeadon, is now serving as a site for vaccinating the county after opening Wednesday. Additionally, the Aston Community Center, located at 3270 Concord Road in Aston, is a vaccine administration site. 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.