Chesco Government, Health Dept. Geared Up To Vaccinate Fast

WEST CHESTER, PA — Vaccination clinics are ready to roll across Chester County so that everyone who wants a vaccine here can get one close to their home.

Chester County's commissioners and health department director addressed the public outdoors Thursday afternoon, providing details of the county's preparedness to vaccinate in short order.

Chester County Commissioner Michelle Kichline reported Chester County is presently at the ready and administering 1,650 vaccines a day across three county centers; the Government Services Center on Westtown Road, a center at West Chester University, and another in Kennett Square.

But, Kichline said, the county could open clinics that are prepared to give 12,000 vaccinations a day, next week, if there is a supply. With two weeks' notice of more vaccine doses available, Chester County's network of clinics could administer 25,000 vaccines a week, and with four weeks' notice, vaccinations sites are lined up that could distribute 33,000 doses a week, Kichline said in the Thursday news conference.

But Kichline acknowledged, "Throwing out numbers like that won't 'magic up' vaccines right now."

Kichline reported that more than 182,000 people are registered to receive a vaccine in Chester County, and of those, 98,000 are in the Phase 1A category. Chester County has administered about 18,500 first doses of the vaccine. The county and other partners together have in all administered 37,844 first doses of the vaccine here and 24,710 second doses, the commissioners reported on Thursday.

Chester County Commissioners' Chair Marian Moskowitz said the commissioners are "working every day to advocate to the state that we need more vaccine." The commissioners underscored that Chester County, as one of six counties in Pennsylvania with its own health department, stands ready to vaccinate in an "efficient and equitable" manner.

Chester County not only has a health department and a county plan for fast distribution of vaccines — when they get here — but it is able to store supplies of both Moderna and Pfizer vaccine doses, commissioners said.

"We know how frustrating and difficult this process has been for so many throughout Chester County," said County Commissioner Josh Maxwell.

Maxwell outlined steps the county government has taken to remove obstacles and make getting a vaccine as easy as possible, even as he said the commissioners continue to "vigorously" advocate for more vaccine doses. The county has expanded its call center to 12 lines and has increased the services provided by the call center.

Maxwell explained the call center is prepared to answer questions about the vaccine process and other COVID-related topics and to take information to help callers register their interest in getting a vaccine. The call center is ready to provide service in English and Spanish and can help those without access to a computer or the internet to register, Maxwell said.

The number to call is: (610) 344-6225.

Vaccination sites have been added to the county's plan so that people can be vaccinated close to where they live and can more easily get back for their second doses. Vaccinations clinics are ready in Malvern, Kimberton, Downingtown, Jennersville, Coatesville, Phoenixville, and Oxford, along with the three centers already operating, Maxwell said.

Moskowitz also announced that the county's program for vaccinating staff and residents in long-term care is nearing completion.

While the commissioners thank those elected officials who are advocating for vaccine supply, they emphasized that the county is well prepared for the task of distributing vaccinations, even as supplies have trickled in week-by-week.

Chester County Health Department Director Jeanne Franklin said in Thursday's conference that she appreciates the patience of people who have been registered and are waiting to be vaccinated.

She also addressed the county health department's guidance for schools, saying that while it allows for 3-feet distancing between students, it is in "no way saying that schools can immediately shift to 3-feet distancing." She underscored that all staff are to maintain 6 feet of distance and that mitigation measures are to be "layered and carefully monitored" as schools bring students back five days a week.

"No one layer itself makes schools safer," Franklin said. Franklin also underscored that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) strategy for schools is "just that, a 'strategy.'"

Find Chester County's vaccine information page here.

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