Getting Vaccinated In Chester County: Updates

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — Chester County has averaged 1,386 new COVID-19 cases a week over the last month, even as a vaccine is distributed here and in Delaware County in a phased roll-out that's dependent on supplies.

How Many Have Gotten The 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.

Of the 9,304 vaccinations tallied by the health department, 4,660 were distributed by the Chester County Health Department. Private healthcare facilities have been vaccinating their own employees since late December also. None of the second doses of the vaccine were given by Chester County, the health department report said.

In Delaware County, 11,420 residents have received the first dose of the vaccine and 1,946 have had a second dose, as of Jan. 15, the health department reported. Delaware County reported it has vaccinated 4,764 people in the last week for the first time and that 1,892 has received their second vaccination dose last week.

Who Gets Vaccinated And When?

The Chester County Health Department is still in Phase 1A of vaccine distribution but said late last week it is eager to move into the next phase.

"We are aware of a recent announcement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services about a shift in populations included in Phase 1B, and all vaccine doses being approved for distribution to states. The Health Department is assessing the impact of this announcement on its current approach for vaccinations and transition from Phase 1A to 1B," the Chester County Health Department said last week.

"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 rollouts because they must wait on vaccine supplies to arrive here. "We cannot predict" when each new shipment of vaccines will be arriving, said Chester County Health Department Director Jeanne Casner. In a news conference early in January she explained, "We can only open appointments as we get the vaccine from the state."

People 65 and older will be able to receive the COVID-19 vaccination as part of the Phase 1B group in Chester County, the department said on Jan. 15. But on Jan. 19 the State Health Department said it would expand eligibility for the first phase to include those over 65 and some younger people with certain serious health conditions.

The Chester County Health Department responded Tuesday saying, "We are aware of the recent announcement by the PA Department of Health (regarding) individuals included in Phase 1A and are currently assessing the impact of this announcement on existing vaccination plans. Please be patient as more information becomes available."

Phase 1A now includes healthcare workers and long-term care residents. In Chester County, 572 have died of COVID-19 to date, and 387 of those 572 who died were in long-term care, according to county health department reports.

Delaware County has had 1,053 deaths since the pandemic began and 709 of those have been reported at long-term care facilities.

Phase 1A includes:

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

The Chester County Health Department began on Dec. 28 vaccinating EMS providers and frontline healthcare personnel with the first shipment of 2,000 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

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
• Persons 65 Years and Older
• Transit Staff
• U.S. Postal Service Staff

The county is asking those in the Phase 1B groups to complete a Vaccine Interest Survey. The survey can be linked to here.

Those who complete the survey will not receive an email confirming the receipt of the survey, but when appointments are available they will be emailed information to help them schedule an appointment, the health department said.

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 Chester County Government Services Center on Westtown Road will serve as the "flagship" site for vaccinating the county, but distribution will use other in-place and mobile sites, much like the county's testing has worked, Casner said.

Health center sites will be set up in area hospitals also, the health department director said early in January. No new sites have been established, the county told Patch today. Casner has explained that with each new shipment and round of vaccinations, plans must also include the second round of the vaccine 21-28 days after the first.

There will be smaller sites set up, likely at schools and churches, Casner said. These sites, as well as drive-through locations, will be posted on the county's COVID-19 webpage as soon as they are ready to operate, according to the county health department. Hours will be expanded when supplies arrive, in order to get people vaccinated as quickly as possible.

"The goal is for everyone to easily get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as large enough quantities are available," Casner said. She said, again, that unfortunately, she cannot say when that will be.

Casner reminds county residents, "The COVID-19 vaccine is not a cure for the virus. It is another tool in the fight against COVID-19." She said that residents cannot relax other safety precautions because there is now a vaccine.

Chester County 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 Casner last week.

The distribution plan is the same for Delaware County, in terms of the prioritized phases, Casner said. Read a Patch report on vaccination sites in Delaware County here.