Vaccine Short Supply Hinders 'Getting Shots In Arms' Of Teachers

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — Four school-based vaccination sites are ready to deliver vaccines to public and private school staff by the end of January, but the health department told school administrators Tuesday the plan is on hold without more COVID-19 vaccine.

The PASD superintendent's report Tuesday night said Chester County's health department director had addressed county school superintendents on Tuesday and told them the plan to quickly vaccinate all school staff is ready — and waiting only on enough vaccine.

Phoenixville Area School District Superintendent Dr. Alan Fegley said that while the district is presently following the health department's recommendation of six-foot distancing, that recommendation could be altered when all school district staff are vaccinated for COVID-19.

While the PASD School Board of Directors has declared it will follow the recommendations of the health department, Fegley reported there could be "a possible path forward for all those who want to return to instruction five days a week."

Jan. 19 was the first day of the PASD third quarter. Students returned to hybrid and remote instruction, Fegley reported. The possible path forward, Fegley said, would be vaccinating all school staff. With staff vaccinated, the distancing recommendations could possibly be relaxed, he said.

Fegley reported in the meeting that school superintendents on Jan. 19 were told by Chester County Health Department Director Jeanne Casner that a plan is in place to "put vaccines in the arms of all school staff."

Casner explained the department's plan is to deliver 5,000 shots every day and get every staff member in public and private schools vaccinated by the end of January, Fegley said. The plan has designated four school-based sites where any current school employee can come and show identification at any of the sites, and receive their vaccine if they are on the current staff list.

Fegley said Casner reported she is ready to accelerate the plan for vaccination of the education community, as soon as more vaccine is available.

Fegley said the superintendents were told that if their districts want to get the education community vaccinated more quickly they will have to address those "higher up" such as their state legislators, to try and get action taken to expedite the delivery of enough vaccine.

Since vaccination distribution began in late December, 9,304 in Chester County have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 1,367 have had the second dose, according to the Chester County Health Department.

The most recent department report on Jan. 15 said 2,310 vaccines were given in the last week in Chester County to those in the first Phase 1A, primarily healthcare workers and those in long-term care facilities.

See a related story with updates on vaccine delivery in Chester County.