Vaccine Eligibility Age Lowered To 65 In Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA — More people are now eligible to get the coronavirus vaccine in Philadelphia, officials announced Wednesday.

While health officials didn't announce the move to Phase 1C, they said the 1B phase has been expanded.

Now, people 65 and older are grouped in with the 1B cohort.

Previously, eligibility by age criteria for Philadelphia Phase 1b was only those who were 75 years or older.

The decision comes from the city's Philadelphia Vaccine Advisory Committee and is possible because of the increased number of vaccine doses coming into the city.

This change to eligibility by age criteria for Phase 1b expands the pool of individuals who can be invited for an appointment after registering through the city’s Vaccine Interest Form.

Those who are aged 65 or older are encouraged to register using the link above, or by dialing 311 to be notified and directed to set an appointment at a city-run or partner clinic.

Nearly coronavirus vaccine clinics in Philadelphia are by appointment only; the Black Doctor’s COVID-19 Consortium is the only vaccine provider in the city with walk-up clinics.

Every other provider, including the FEMA-run Center City Vaccination Center clinic at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, requires an appointment and is open only to those who are Philadelphia residents and eligible in Philadelphia's Phase 1b.