Released: January 28, 2021
Delaware County is administering the COVID-19 vaccine at the Delaware County Wellness Center in Yeadon and at the Aston Community Center. Vaccination is by appointment only.
People who live or work in Delaware County can pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine by completing a form found on the Chester County Health Department’s COVID-19 website. Vaccines are free of charge and for people age 16 and older who live or work in Delaware County. The form can be found here: https://chesco.seamlessdocs.com/f/delcovac (link no longer active)
Completion of the form registers a person’s interest in receiving the vaccine, and the information provided helps the Chester County Health Department to place each individual into the Phase 1A, 1B, 1C, and Phase 2 categories.
All individuals 65 and older, and individuals ages 16-64 with certain medical conditions, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that increase the risk of severe illness from the virus, are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination under Phase 1A. A breakdown of the phases can be found here: https://chesco.org/4822/COVID19Vaccine
Delaware County has opened a COVID-19 Call Center to answer COVID-19 related questions including information on vaccines and testing. The COVID-19 Call Center will be open Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. In addition to responding to phone calls, the Center will also respond to emails.
Phone: (484) 276-2100
Email: Covid19Resources@co.delaware.pa.us
Residents are reminded to please be patient as vaccine remains very limited. Vaccine supply has not increased for Pennsylvania. The state is still receiving the same limited supply as it was in the beginning of January. In addition, almost half of the vaccines received is being allocated for long-term care facilities which have experienced the largest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths.
The Chester County Health Department is processing the impact of the recent changes made by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, moving those over the age of 65 and those 16-64 with certain medical conditions into Phase 1A. This change adds over 94,000 eligible people age 65 and older and adds approximately 80,000 people age 16-64 with certain medical conditions to Phase 1A. Those in Phase 1A account for 40% of the population.
The change in Phase 1A eligibility has not brought additional vaccines to Delaware County. Last week, Delaware County received 1,200 doses. This week, the County received 2,000 doses and expects to receive 2,000 next week. The shortage of vaccines is not an issue exclusive to Delaware County. All other regions within Pennsylvania and the nation are affected by the lack of vaccine supply. As of Jan. 28, 23,007 COVID-19 vaccines were administered in Delaware County. This number is closely aligned with the state average on a per capita basis.
Delaware County is committed to ensuring a safe and timely distribution of the COVID-19 vaccination and continues to work with the County’s hospitals and the Chester County Health Department to administer the vaccine as quickly as possible. Delaware County is prepared to respond when there is an increase in vaccine supply. The County has a permanent storage and vaccination site, has established partnerships to secure locations for public vaccinations, and has recruited and trained hundreds of staff and volunteers.
Once Phase 1A is complete, the County will vaccinate Phase 1B priority groups. Phase1B includes Childcare Staff, Corrections Staff, County, and Municipal Administration Staff, Educators/Education Staff, Firefighters, Food and Agriculture Staff, Grocery Store Staff, Law Enforcement, Manufacturing Staff, Transit Staff, and U.S. Postal Service Staff. While we do not have a definitive time for advancing into Phase 1B, we are eager to move into that phase once we confirm that Phase 1A is well enough underway, and we are not limited in our vaccine supply.
People who work in fields which fall under Phase 1B and have been registered as a group (such as educators, firefighters, law enforcement, etc.) and now qualify to be in Phase 1A should complete the survey as an individual. Organizations who registered as a group under Phase 1B do not need to take further action and modify or resubmit forms.
Residents are also encouraged to monitor the Pennsylvania Vaccine Provider Map for other possible locations of vaccine providers in the county: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Vaccine/Pages/Vaccine.aspx
A reminder - vaccination efforts for Delaware County are being coordinated through the Chester County Health Department. On March 19, 2020 Delaware County Council and Chester County Commissioners announced the approval by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, for Chester County to take the lead on Delaware County’s COVID-19 public health response. The Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement between Chester and Delaware Counties identifies the responsibilities of the Chester County Health Department during the COVID-19 outbreak, which will continue until federal and state partners determine there is no longer a pandemic outbreak. Those responsibilities include coordination of increased testing, case investigation and surveillance, quarantine designations and public health communication.
Currently, there are two authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines which are being distributed throughout Pennsylvania, including in Delaware County. Both vaccines require two doses for full effectiveness. A second shot is given 21-28 days after the first shot in order to provide the most protection against COVID-19. Vaccines are safe, effective, and a key strategy to protect all residents from serious illness. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ensured the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines. The requirements to show that the vaccines are functional and safe have been met, with a quicker process and an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). More information on the vaccine approval process can be found here: www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines/emergency-use-authorization-vaccines-explained
The COVID-19 vaccine will not be a cure for the virus. It is another tool in the fight against COVID-19. Residents must continue to practice other proven mitigation efforts, including wearing a mask, hand washing, and physical distancing.