Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
COVID-19 vaccines continue to make their way into the arms of Bucks County medical workers.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has reported that coronavirus vaccines have been distributed to Doylestown Hospital in Doylestown Township, Grand View Hospital in West Rockhill Township, Jefferson Bucks Hospital in Falls Township, Lower Bucks Hospital in Bristol Township, The Medical Center at Woods Services in Middletown Township, and St. Luke Hospital’s Upper Bucks Campus in Milford Township since their approvals earlier this month.
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Between the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, more than 10,450 doses have been distributed to hospitals and medical centers as of Tuesday, according to state data.
The state’s vaccine rollout plan calls for health care workers, emergency medical service responders, and residents and staff and congregate care facilities due to get the vaccines first.
“These first doses of vaccine are being given specifically to health care workers through hospitals,” Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Hospitals are making arrangements to implement these vaccinations, not only to their own frontline staff but to other high-priority recipients. The number of people we can immunize truly depends on how quickly the manufacturers can make the vaccine.”
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Across Pennsylvania, 72,762 health care workers have received the first doses of the vaccines.
Levine said nearly 74,000 additional doses are slated to come to Pennsylvania this week.
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Starting this week, vaccine doses are being supplied for nursing home workers and residents.
Levine said the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is starting to be administered to long-term care centers and nursing homes through a partnership with Walgreens and CVS in the state. The partnership is part of the federal Operation Warp Speed.
The state health secretary made clear during a Monday news conference that the distribution at long-term care centers and nursing homes is being coordinated between the pharmacies and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The timeline and distribution is set by those partners.
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Briarleaf Nursing Home in Doylestown Borough, Buckingham Valley Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Buckingham Township, Greenleaf Nursing and Convalescent in Doylestown Borough, Harborview Rehabilitation and Care Center in Doylestown Borough, Pine Run Health Center in Doylestown Township, Valley Manor Rehabilitation and Care Center in Springfield Township, and Wesley Enhanced Living in Doylestown Borough are slated to have the COVID-19 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine administered by CVS pharmacy staff this week, according to data made public.
Long-term care and nursing homes were hit hard by the pandemic. Statewide, at least 8,470 residents of those facilities died from COVID-19.
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The vaccines are not being required for any group by state government, Levine said.
Due to the limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines, it is expected to take several months before the general public can get one.
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Ways residents can help reduce the spread of COVID-19:
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Wear a mask properly when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.
- Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
- Clean surfaces frequently.
- Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
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