Released: February 17, 2021
Delaware County Government was informed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health that the total number of Moderna vaccines allocated to vaccine providers in Pennsylvania, including Delaware County Government, would be less than expected.
The continued shortfall in vaccine availably has been attributed, in part, to some pharmacy providers inadvertently vaccinating first dose individuals using vaccine that was supposed to be allocated for use as a second dose. This error has left the State with a larger than expected population of partially-vaccinated individuals now in need of a second dose.
Providers using the Pfizer vaccine, which includes hospitals, are not impacted by the reduction in vaccine.
As a result of the reduced Moderna vaccine supply, Delaware County Government has closed the County-sponsored vaccination clinics in Aston and Yeadon this week for people who were registered to receive a first dose. Individuals who were scheduled to receive their second dose this week are being rescheduled for Saturday, Feb. 20, at the Aston Community Center. Staff from the Delaware County COVID-19 Call Center are calling and emailing individuals to reschedule their second does for Feb. 20.
Based on the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s announcement regarding a shortage of second doses, Delaware County Government is able to continue to provide its allocated second doses of the Moderna vaccine within the 28-day period for the next two weeks, and will review plans for future first doses and second doses, based on Pennsylvania’s Department of Health’s ability to supply second doses of the Moderna vaccine.
Until the supply of vaccine increases, Delaware County Government vaccination sites will limit vaccinations to only those individuals receiving a second dose. This temporary shift is being done to ensure that all individuals receive their second dose within the CDC-recommended timeframe of between 28 to 42 days after the first dose.
Delaware County Council shares the frustration of residents regarding the stalled and limited roll- out of vaccines and has been in constant contact with state and federal officials to advocate for increased vaccine shipments and for clearer communications regarding the ongoing status of vaccine production and allocations from the State.
Delaware County Government is one of over two dozen vaccine providers in the County. Residents who have scheduled first or second doses with a provider other than Delaware County Government should contact the providers to determine if there is a change in scheduling or registering.