Bucks County COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout: Latest Updates

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Despite an increasing number of Bucks County residents getting vaccinated, new cases of the virus are on the rise both locally and statewide.

There were 1,349 new coronavirus infections in Bucks County reported the week of March 14-20, a 31 percent increase over the previous week.

"Vaccination numbers are climbing steadily, though supply is coming a little slower than what was predicted," said Dr. David Damsker, director of the Bucks County Health Department. "Again, I encourage everyone to get whichever vaccine they can, as soon as they are eligible."

And in a move that angered some officials in Bucks and other suburban Philadelphia counties, the Pennsylvania Department of Health is opting not to send more vaccine doses to Lower Bucks Hospital in Bristol as the state shifts its efforts to mass vaccination clinics in southeastern Pennsylvania.

State Planning Southeastern PA Mass Vaccine Site: Latest Details

Meanwhile, Pennsylvania issued an order Thursday mandating that vaccine providers ensure everyone in phase 1A has been vaccinated or scheduled for an appointment by the end of March.

Vaccinations To Date

As of Friday, 76,535 people in Bucks County had been partially vaccinated, while another 71,160 had gotten both doses of two-dose vaccines, according to data from the state department of health.

How To Sign Up

Bucks County has created an online hub for information on the coronavirus vaccine. The hub contains detailed information on who is eligible to be vaccinated under each of the state plan's four phases.

On it, there's a form letting residents register for the vaccine. Once registered, residents will be contacted to schedule a vaccination appointment once sufficient supplies arrive, officials said.

Click Here To Register For A COVID-19 Vaccination In Bucks County

Anyone in Bucks County with internet access is encouraged to register for a vaccination online. But, for those who do not have internet access, there is another way. In Bucks County, residents may register for a vaccination by calling the county's coronavirus helpline at 1-800-383-0371.

Where To Get The Vaccine In Bucks County

Invitations are being sent out by email, offering appointments at the county clinics for people who registered with the county.

Bucks County hospitals also have begun registering members of the public to receive the vaccine. St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne now is accepting online registrations from people older than 65 and those 16 or older with existing health conditions.

See The St. Mary Medical Center COVID-19 Vaccine Form Here

Doylestown Health Vaccine Appointments

Patients who have received care from any Doylestown Health physician (primary care and/or specialist) are automatically preregistered through the health system's electronic medical record and prioritized based on their highest risk medical conditions. Patients will be contacted at the appropriate time to schedule their appointment. Additional public reservations for first doses will open in the near future. Click here for more information. Doylestown Health offers five ways to sign up for a vaccination.

Pharmacies throughout Bucks County also have begun receiving and giving the free vaccinations.

Find A Coronavirus Vaccine Site Near Me: Pennsylvania

Who Is Eligible To Get The Vaccine Now?

Bucks County, like the rest of Pennsylvania, remains in Phase 1A of the state's four-phase rollout of the coronavirus vaccine. Originally, that meant the only people eligible for a vaccine were healthcare workers and residents and employees of nursing homes and other care facilities.

But state officials dramatically increased the number of Pennsylvanians eligible for the vaccine during the initial phase. Everyone 65 and older, along with residents 16 or older who have health conditions that put them at high risk from the virus immediately were made eligible, adding about 3.5 million Pennsylvania residents to the list of those eligible for the shots.

Teachers in Pennsylvania are also now eligible.

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