Latest Coronavirus Vaccine Updates In Delaware County

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — Nearly 30,000 people have been partially inoculated against the coronavirus in Delaware County. However, much more work needs to be done to ensure residents are protected against the virus by providing more vaccine administration.

Below are the latest details on vaccine administration in Delaware County.

How Many Have Gotten The Vaccine?
Since vaccination distribution began in late December, 29,679 partial and 8,907 full vaccination have been administered in Delaware County as of Friday. Delaware County has a population of roughly 566,747 according to census data.

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. However, officials are eager to move into the next phase.

Recently, the health department said it would follow new vaccination guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Health by including those 65 and older and those ages 16 to 64 with certain underlying medical conditions in 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

The change adds more than 94,000 eligible people age 65 and older and adds about 80,000 people 16 to 64 years old with certain medical conditions to Phase 1A.

Those in Phase 1A account for 40 percent of Delaware County's population.

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

At the current level of vaccine doses being received from the State, roughly 2,000 people in Phase 1A will receive the vaccine each week from Delaware County Government.

"We remain eager to move to Phase 1B as quickly as possible however we must be sure we can do so without being limited by our vaccine supply," the department added.

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

In Delaware County, 35,428 people have had the coronavirus as of Friday. Additionally, 1,199 county residents have died of the coronavirus to date, and 778 of those who died were in long-term care, according to the latest data.

Phase 1A includes:

• Coroner, Medical Examiner, and Funeral Staff
• EMS Providers
• Healthcare Personnel
• Long-Term Care Residents

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 Group 1B whose status has now been changed to Group 1A do not need to fill out the survey again; information submitted for Group 1B will be moved up to Group 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.

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. Officials said more vaccination sites are planned for Chester and other locations in the county, however details on more sites are yet to be released.

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 recently launched a COVID-19 Call Center.

Residents, businesses, and organizations can contact the center at 484-276-2100 or 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, said officials last week.