Bucks County COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout: Latest Updates

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Health officials in Bucks County this week said they're on pace to meet an aggressive new schedule for COVID-19 vaccinations rolled out by the state.

On Wednesday, March 31, Pennsylvania announced an accelerated schedule that will expand eligibility for a vaccination to every 16 or older by April 16. A Bucks County spokesman said everyone who has registered with the county for a shot under Phase 1A of the state's plan already has been contacted about making an appointment.

Residents eligible under the plan's second phase will be made eligible to make an appointment on Tuesday, April 6, followed by residents in Phase 1C on April 12.

All adults should be eligible by April 19, though appointments may be for weeks down the road.

Also over the past week, the state changed course in how vaccines will be given in the Bucks County area — welcome news for local officials who had opposed plans for a large, mass-vaccination site proposed in Montgomery County.

A weekly shipment of 42,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which had been earmarked for the mass site, will now instead be sent directly to counties.

4th Wave?

The new vaccine news comes as Bucks County is experiencing an increase in new COVID-19 cases. The 1,664 new cases reported in the county last week were the most in seven weeks.

It was a 23-percent jump from the previous week which, itself, was a 31-percent rise from the week before. The percentage of positive coronavirus tests in Bucks County spiked to 9.2 percent, up from 6.7 percent two weeks ago.

Vaccinations To Date

Through Thursday, Bucks County had administered nearly a quarter-million COVID vaccination shots. A total of 240,434 doses had been given — enough to fully vaccinate 83,266 people and partially vaccinate another 82,426.

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 is running vaccine clinics at three Bucks County Community College campuses — in Bristol, Newtown and Quakertown — as well as one at Neshaminy Mall in Bensalem.

Other providers in the county include hospitals and pharmacies. St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne is accepting online registrations.

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

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.

Find A Coronavirus Vaccine Site Near Me: Pennsylvania

Who Is Eligible To Get The Vaccine Now?

As of this writing, Bucks County remained in Phase 1A of the state's four-phase vaccine rollout, along with the rest of the state. But, as noted above, others will become eligible in the coming days.

Phase 1A includes everyone 65 and older, along with residents 16 or older who have health conditions that put them at high risk, as well as healthcare workers. Teachers and other school workers also have been receiving vaccinations under a state program specifically for them.

Be the first to know what's happening in your town and area. Sign up to get Patch emails and don't miss a minute of local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe