ALLENTOWN, Pa. – April 12 opens the door for people in Pennsylvania under phase 1C to get their COVID-19 vaccine. It represents 1.3 to 1.7 million key workers in the food service, public safety and other industries.
To date, 4.1 million pensioners have received at least one dose of vaccine, representing 36% of the state’s population. 2.3 million people are completely vaccinated.
“It’s a good sign that vaccine demand remains high here in Pennsylvania, because the more people who are vaccinated, the sooner we can stop the virus,” said Lindsey Mauldin, senior adviser to the Pennsylvania health secretary.
The question was whether supply would meet high demand. The weekly allocation from the state and federal governments is on a steady slope.
“I think it’s the only thing we can all do together to make a difference in this pandemic. It allows us the power to change it,” said Sarah Rinker, an infection preventer at Lehigh Valley Health Network.
The Lehigh Valley Health Network has hosted drive-thru clinics and opened pop-up windows throughout the region. Finding locations was a challenge, but they are up to par, using stores with vacant boxes.
“Through its wider openness, it allows us to offer the vaccine to people who really want and need it. It will make it much easier for us to reach them now that we are in these bigger places, “Rinker said.
Starting Monday, a former Sears Appliance store at Northampton Crossings Mall in Lower Nazareth will be a vaccination site along with a former AC Moore on MacArthur Road in Whitehall. Vaccinations in these locations are by appointment only.
The next big meeting in Pennsylvania in the race to vaccinate everyone is April 19th. Then everyone aged 16 and over will be eligible for the vaccine.