Philadelphia extends Phase 1B qualifications for COVID-19 vaccine

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) – The Philadelphia Health Commissioner announced a small extension to COBID-19 vaccine eligibility group 1B during a news conference on Friday morning.

Dr Thomas Farley said the high-risk category now includes people with intellectual disabilities and an extension of the definition of immunosuppression to include people taking medicines to suppress the immune system “for any reason”.

Farley also said that members of the clergy are now being added to Phase 1B.

“With the resumption of services, members of the clergy are at high risk of acquiring or transmitting COVID infection, especially its transmission to the elderly,” Farley said.

As of Thursday, 402,000 first doses and 156,000 secondary doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been administered throughout the city.

Farley said the supply of vaccine doses has dwindled. The city has seen increases, but officials have been told they will not receive additional Pfizer or Moderna vaccines in the next three weeks.