Any Pennsylvanians who qualify for a vaccine in Phase 1A of the state’s roll-out plan will be able to schedule a vaccination by the end of March.
That’s according to Gov. Tom Wolf, who gave an update Friday afternoon on the state’s vaccination plans.
“We’re announcing our commitment to the people of Pennsylvania that to the extent we can do it, appointments are going to be scheduled by the end of March for those in Phase 1A who want to receive a vaccine, every single one,” Wolf said.
In addition to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine rolling out, the state’s supply of Moderna and Pfizer vaccines is increasing.
Wolf explained the secretary of health was issuing an order on Friday requiring that vaccine providers make efforts to schedule all 1A vaccination appointments by March 28.
He said there are about 4.5 million people eligible in Phase 1A, and the state believes about 80% of those people will opt to be vaccinated.
“As you all know, last night President Biden laid out a really bold plan for the country with the goal of making every American adult eligible to receive a vaccine by May 1,” said Wolf. “We are making all kinds of efforts and taking aggressive steps to meet that timeline, and I think we’re pretty confident we can do that.”
The state is also making preparations to allocate single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccines to teachers, school staff and child care workers.
Also, Wolf said that at the end of March, the state will begin to direct part of each week’s allotment for regional vaccination clinics as well as for vaccine initiatives to immunize groups such as law enforcement, firefighters, grocery workers, meat processing plant employees and agricultural workers.
“Our goal in establishing special vaccination initiatives is to help protect frontline essential workers in the communities, all of our communities, between now and that May 1 time when everybody’s going to be eligible,” he explained.
The state will be getting the infrastructure in place over the next couple of weeks to vaccinate these additional groups.
Wolf said he is “very confident” people in Phase 1A will be able to schedule an appointment by the end of March.
When a reporter asked how soon people in Phase 1A will actually receive their vaccinations, Wolf just said, “within a reasonable amount of time.”
Wolf talked about three recent improvements to the state’s vaccination infrastructure and administration rates.
For one, “Vaccination rates are climbing,” he said, noting the national average for people who have received a first dose of vaccine is about 19%, while the state’s average is 19.8%.
Second, “Our hospital systems now have enough vaccines to partner with counties to create county vaccination sites,” said Wolf.
Third, Pennsylvania has been working with the federal government to set up community vaccine sites at federally qualified programs. Four sites are already participating: three in Philadelphia County and one in Lycoming County.
“We’re putting together plans to continue expanding that roll-out, making it even better,” he said. “(At) the same time our vaccine allocations are increasing, which really helps this whole process.”
While Wolf noted the state has already started to open things up by increasing the limits for groups indoors and outdoors, it’s “still a ways away from rolling back restrictions,” such as by opening entertainment venues for large events like concerts.
“We’re within striking distance of the finish line. I just don’t want to stop the race before we get to that finish line,” Wolf said.
