MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA – While Montgomery County continues to halt the local front of the largest vaccination campaign in history, Pennsylvania has announced plans to expand the phase 1A priority group to include anyone over 65.
Under these new guidelines, which now also include anyone with serious underlying medical conditions between the ages of 16 and 64, there are an additional 250,000 Montgomery County residents eligible for 1A.
“We agree that the COVID-19 vaccine must be provided ethically, equitably and efficiently,” Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh said on Tuesday. “We continue to ask for patience from people, as our vaccine supply is extremely limited.”
But at the current rate, it may take more than a year to vaccinate the entire 1A, warned Arkoosh. The authorities therefore expect much larger quantities of vaccine to be made available soon.
So far, there have been 24,952 partial doses of the vaccine administered to Montgomery County residents, while another 3,772 have received both full doses, according to the state’s COVID-19 Panel.
It is not yet clear when phases 1B and 1C of the vaccine launch will begin in Pennsylvania. Montgomery County officials expressed hopes that this could happen by the end of January, but Arkoosh appeared to be pouring cold water on the idea on Wednesday. Deadlines are blurred by the lack of clarity regarding future shipments and depend on the federal government and pharmaceutical manufacturers.
After the additional 250,000 residents, as well as any other health professionals who have not yet been vaccinated, phases 1B and 1C are also full in the county. There are approximately 16,598 teachers and essential school staff and 1,400 police officers.
Individuals in 1B and 1C can pre-register for an interview to be vaccinated on the Montgomery County website. Registration for 1A is available at the same link.