Montco To Deliver Vaccine Directly To Vulnerable Groups

NORRISTOWN, PA — Montgomery County is rolling out a new vaccination strategy in an effort to protect some of the area's most vulnerable residents.

The new plan, announced during a news briefing Wednesday, will see teams bring doses directly to residential settings around the county.

To determine where to concentrate their efforts, the county is starting with a list of affordable housing for seniors. There are roughly 30 locations on this preliminary list, officials said.

Many of these locations are apartment buildings, or units grouped together within a block or two. Pop-up vaccination sites will be established in lobbies or communal areas.

These residents have significant barriers to vaccination. Some are seniors, others have disabilities; yet more have little to no Internet access, or are homeless.

In order to receive the vaccine, individuals still must be registered, and they must fall within the 1A category.

The county also expressed hopes that the new Johnson and Johnson vaccine would safely streamline vaccination efforts for these same at-risk groups. That vaccine only requires one shot. On Wednesday, officials said they would prioritize that shot for populations that might struggle to come back for a second dose.

The county received a greater number of vaccines this week than it has the past two weeks, during which they were forced to shut down their clinics due to shortages. They currently have more than 6,500 doses in hand, and are adminstering doses at a rate of about a thousand per day. Another shipment is expected within five to seven days, authorities said Wednesday.

The wait line for the vaccine remains very long, with more than 172, 000 individuals in the 1A category now registered.