Vaccine Doses Received Are Half Of Chesco Health Dept.'s Request

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — Shot can only go into arms when there are shots available, and vaccinations in Chester County are going out steadily, but impinged by a slim supply.

Chester County Health Department and all other vaccine providers in the county had by Friday fully vaccinated 57,469 people here, and the county commissioners said they do not have enough vaccine to make the goal of vaccinating everyone in Phase 1A by the end of March, though all those in 1A may be registered by March 31.

Chester County reported Friday evening the county has received about 50 percent of the vaccine supply it has requested. The county has request 114, 940 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and reports it has received 57,360 doses.

The U.S. Census in 2010 counted Chester County's population as 499,133. The Census Bureau estimated the 2019 population at 524,989. Chester County is the sixth most-populated of Pennsylvania's 67 counties but has been 33rd in ranking for the number of vaccine doses received, county report stated earlier this month.

As COVID-19 vaccine supply remains scant, it is more than it has been in recent weeks.

Over the past week, Chester County, in total, received 11,910 doses of vaccine from the State. Of that number, 9,340 were sent to the Chester County Health Department. This is made up of 7,000 Moderna first and second doses and 2,340 Pfizer first doses.

Two weeks ago, on March 5, Chester County reported it received, in total, 10,750 vaccine doses. Of that number, 6,640 were sent to the Chester County Health Department.

County officials said on Friday the health department will continue to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to those in Phase 1A; being called for appointments right now are those currently in 1A who registered with the Chester County Health Department on or before Jan. 20.

In Chester County, the county and all other vaccine providers here have given 55,272 people a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 57,469 people have received second doses from all other vaccine providers in Chester County, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Of that total, 30,519 people have received first doses of the vaccine from the Chester County Health Department, and 18,010 people have received their second dose from the Chester County Health Department.

The county also announced this week a new scheduling system for the vaccine that will create password-protected accounts for registrants. Those who receive the vaccine from a provider other than the county will be able to remove their name for the county's waiting list.

County officials explained that when the new scheduling system is ready to launch, an email will be sent out to every email address on the Chester County Health Department’s existing registration list, with instructions to create a password and review registration details.

Then, when vaccine is available, registrants will be notified to book their appointment through the new system. Online accounts will include the date that a person registered with the Health Department so that they can monitor vaccination progress.

"Even as we begin using the new vaccine scheduling system, we will continue to book some appointments over the phone — giving everyone an equal opportunity to schedule their COVID-19 vaccine," the county stated in a news release.

Starting March 29, vaccine clinic locations are: West Chester University Sturzebecker Health Sciences Center, Kennett Square Fire Company's Red Clay Room, and the Kimberton Fire Company. Vaccines are by appointment only.

Vaccine clinics for seniors are the Phoenixville Senior Center, Brandywine Valley Active Aging Center (formerly Coatesville Senior Center), and the Oxford Area Senior Center. The

Chester County is presently contacting those on its registration list to make appointments. Chester County's COVID-19 call center is available to people who do not have internet access, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon. The call center number is: (610) 344-6225.

The county said, "Given the current limited supply of the COVID-19 vaccine, the Chester County Health Department is contacting individuals who are next on the registration list, to offer vaccine appointments. Therefore, the call center cannot serve as a general COVID-19 vaccine appointment booking line."

In addition to the Chester County Health Department, some hospitals and pharmacies in Chester County are receiving vaccine from the state DOH. These locations are listed on the PA Department of Health vaccine provider map.

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