The latest news on the COVID-19 Vaccine and its distribution in Pennsylvania and Philadelphia, as of April 1
Pennsylvania
The Wolf administration announced that all people 16 and older will be eligible for the vaccine on April 19th with many able to schedule appointments sooner. Additionally starting today, law enforcement, firefighters, grocery store workers, and food and agriculture workers are eligible. 1B will be eligible on Monday, April 5th, and 1C will be eligible on April 12th. Philadelphia will not be a part of this change. These changes are in response to the dramatic increase of supplies that the Federal government is providing states. Additionally, the number of retail pharmacies receiving vaccines will be significantly expanded and will operate independently of the state.
Bucks, Delaware, Chester, and Montgomery Counties will have 42,000 shots weekly earmarked to split between them. The counties will each receive about 10,500 doses a week.
Vaccine Updates
70% to 95% of people eligible in phase 1A have been vaccinated. Pennsylvania has completed at least 2.92M partial vaccinations and completed at least 1.59M full vaccinations.
Additional Updates
After a steep decline in cases, hospitalizations have started rising again among younger individuals.
Philadelphia
The state-wide new vaccination plans will not impact Philadelphia. City Health Commissioner Thomas Farley that the city will open eligibility to all adults no later than May 1st. Philadelphia has seen an increase in cases as well as positivity. Thomas Farley told the press that this increase in COVID-19 cases is returning us to where we were a year ago. Philadelphia's rolling average is 403 new cases/day (29% higher than a week ago) out of an average of 6,500 daily tests. Philadelphia is averaging 25 to 30 deaths per day.
Vaccine Updates:
Philadelphia has completed at least 471k partial vaccinations (with 69% going to city residents), and at least 184k full vaccinations (61% to residents).
A week ago, organizations in the city combined for an average of 14.8k doses daily, 5% fewer than the week prior.
