321K Vaccines Administered In Philly, Mass Site Opens Wednesday

Philadelphia PA

02 March, 2021

2:08 PM

Description

PHILADELPHIA — More than 321,000 people in Philadelphia have been partially and fully inoculated for the coronavirus ahead of the federal government's initiative to boost vaccine administration in the city. As of Tuesday, 104,231 people have gotten the full two doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna coronavirus vaccines; 217,628 people have received one dose of either vaccine. The week ending Feb. 21 saw 40,659 second and first doses administered. The week ending Feb. 28 had at least 48,000 doses administered. Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said the vaccination data for last week is incomplete and that he expects last week's vaccine administration to exceed 50,000. These promising figures come the day before the federally supported mass vaccination site opens at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The center had a soft opening Monday and Tuesday. Farley said on Monday, the site vaccinated 824 people in just two hours, signaling the site's likelihood of administering 6,000 doses per day using the Pfizer vaccine, which is being directly supplied by the federal government and does not affect the city's vaccine supply. Those who signed up on the city's vaccine interest form here will be given appointment opportunities by the city directly via a link. Farley urged those who get a link not to share it with others. The form is available in five languages: English, Spanish, French, Chinese, and Vietnamese. If residents do not have internet access, have issues filling out the online form, or need the form in another language, they should call 311. Walk up appointments are not available at the site and proof of identification and residency, such as an ID or piece of mail with a Philadelphia address. The site will be open daily from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. through April 30 and be staffed by Marine and Navy corpsmen. "I cannot overstate how appreciative we are of the federal government for selecting Philadelphia to host one of FEMA's mass vaccination clinics," Mayor Jim Kenney said. "This impressive operation will go a long way in helping us deliver the vaccine to Philadelphians who need it. This is especially true for vulnerable populations and communities of color who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. The site's ease of access and the volume of vaccinations will go a long way toward ensuring that lower income Philadelphians — particularly Black and brown residents — can be part of this opportunity. And, in turn, that will enhance our efforts toward ensuring equity in the vaccination process." According to Farley, the city's vaccine supply is growing. Last week the city was allocated 16,380 doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 15,600 doses of the Moderna vaccine. Those doses are being given to providers this week for administration to people in the Phase 1B group, which Farley said will likely take until late April to vaccinate the entire group. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be coming to Philadelphia, as well. But Farley said the doses are limited. Farley said 13,000 doses shipped to vaccine providers in the city later this week. Those doses will be the only doses in the city for three weeks, he said. Providers who get the Johnson & Johnson vaccines are recommended to prioritize patients who are home bound, have limited mobility, are transient, and otherwise difficult to reach as this vaccine only required one dose.