Pennsylvania is finally opening vaccines to a wider population as it moves into Phase 1B of vaccine distribution today.
This means that those in 1B will be able to begin scheduling vaccinations, but it is unclear how long long it will take for the state to provide those vaccinations.
Pennsylvania has been in Phase 1A since December.
As of Saturday, the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced that Pennsylvania is No. 12 among the 50 states as far providing first dose vaccines. About a third of the state’s population has received at least one dose.
Pennsylvania will move into Phase 1C in one week on April 12. One week after that — on April 19 — all Pennsylvanians over age 16 will be eligible to schedule a vaccine.
In McKean County, people can get their name on the county-coordinated vaccine waiting list by calling 814-887-3443 or visiting the county’s website, https://www.mckeancountypa.org.
Included in Phase 1B are first responders, food/agricultural workers, U.S. Postal Service workers, manufacturing workers, grocery store workers, education workers, clergy and other essential support for houses of worship, public transit workers, people caring for children or adults in early childhood and adult day programs, people in congregate settings not specified as long-term care facilities, people receiving home and community-based services, correctional officers and other workers serving people in congregate care settings not included in Phase 1A.
The state has already started vaccinating some individuals in Phase 1B using its allotments of Johnson & Johnson vaccines.These include educators, child care workers and frontline workers including law enforcement, firefighters, grocery store employees and food/agriculture workers.
Individuals included in Phase 1C are workers in transportation and logistics, water and wastewater, food service, housing construction, finance, information technology, communications, energy, legal services, media, public safety, public health, and workers in all levels of government.
