No Vaccinations At Lincoln Financial Field For Now, Officials Say

Philadelphia PA

09 February, 2021

1:56 PM

Description

PHILADELPHIA — Health officials in Philadelphia said Lincoln Financial Field could be used as a mass coronavirus vaccination site, but if that does happen it won't be for some time. During a news conference Tuesday, Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said while he has not talked with the Philadelphia Eagles regarding using the stadium, he would be open to it when the time is right. "I don't think it's the best way to make vaccines available now," he said. On Sunday, President Joe Biden said ahead of the Super Bowl every NFL stadium is available for use as mass vaccination sites. >>>RELATED: Latest Coronavirus Vaccine Updates In Philadelphia<<< Farley, however, said using the Linc as a site is not feasible at the moment. This is due to shortages in vaccine supplies. The city is being allocated doses based on availability and the city's population of about 1.2 million people. If and when the city begins to get substantially more doses of the vaccine, Farley said using Lincoln Financial Field as a vaccination site may be considered. Farley said were the city to open a site at the stadium now or in the near future, residents from outside the city, from places such as New Jersey and Delaware, would be vaccinated there more than Philadelphians. He went on to say locations more central to Philadelphia neighborhoods that are accessible even by those without vehicles are more important to the city's vaccination efforts. The city has been receiving about 10,000 doses of both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines each week, but Farley said those allocations will be increasing. According to Farley, the city will be getting 10,700 Pfizer vaccine doses and 14,400 Moderna vaccine doses moving forward. Additionally, a federal partnership with pharmacies is bringing 4,900 doses weekly to Rite Aid pharmacies in the city. But still, Farley said residents should be prepared to wait for vaccination as it will be many months until everyone has the opportunity to be vaccinated.