Officials: County Ready To Expand Vaccinations, But Supplies Limited

Bucks County officials said they were surprised by the state’s change in the COVID-19 vaccination plan.

The change made earlier this week, which mirrored a recent alteration to federal guidance, moved people 65 and older and those ages 16 to 65 with high-risk medical ailments to Phase 1A, which was for frontline health care workers, emergency medical service workers, and long-term care residents and staff.

As of late Wednesday night, there were 14,628 partial vaccinations in Bucks County completed and 4,650 full vaccinations.

County officials said the change in Phase 1A adds about 120,000 Bucks Countians ages 65 and older to the eligibility list. They did not release the number of those age 16 and up who qualify for Phase 1A.

RELATED: Bucks County Doctor On COVID-19 Vaccine: ‘The Science Is Solid’

Bucks County Commissioners Vice Chairperson Bob Harvie said Wednesday that the county is only expected to receive about 4,000 doses of vaccine over the next 10 days. He said much of that is already reserved.

“The federal government has not been shipping it out to the states. The states therefore, cannot ship it out to us … Until that happens, we are doing the best we can with the very limited resources we have. We are asking people to be patient,” Harvie said.

State vaccine data showed that innoculations peaked last week and have since fallen.

“There are clearly supply chain issues that are beyond the control of county governments, but we are being left to explain this to a public that is growing increasingly frustrated,” Bucks County Commissioners Chairperson Diane Ellis-Marseglia said. “The federal and state governments need to tell the truth to citizens: they do not have anywhere near an adequate supply of vaccines.”

Harvie said Bucks County didn’t expect the change to Phase 1A when it was announced by the state earlier this week.

“That announcement made by the federal government about a week ago was made without the knowledge of the states. The states were all stunned when that message was made,” Harvie said. “That message that came out from the state [Tuesday] was not shared with the counties.”

While the state, counties, and health care systems have been charged with vaccine distribution for most frontline workers, the federal government have provided vaccines and also led distribution to private-sector partners that have been carrying out vaccinations at long-term care centers under President Donald Trump’s administration.

CNN reported Thursday that President Joe Biden’s administration, which took office midday Wednesday, discovered there was almost no viable federal COVID-19 vaccinate distribution plans turned over by the Trump administration.

“There is nothing for us to rework. We are going to have to build everything from scratch,” a White House source told the news outlet.

Biden has set a lofty goal of having 100 million COVID-19 vaccines within his 100 days in office.

Statements and White House memos provided to LevittownNow.com by the Biden administration’s press office noted they plan to ramp up vaccine production, distribution, expand partnerships with local and state governments to vaccinate people, launch a public education campaign, and surge the health care workforce. One memo said Biden plans to use the Defense Production Act to support vaccine and needed supply manufacturing  and distribution.

RELATED: Bucks County Sees 22 Percent Drop In New COVID-19 Cases

Bucks County Chief Operating Officer Margie McKevitt said 60,000 residents have pre-registered to get the vaccine.

County officials said they are able to move those age 65 and older and people with high-risk conditions who registered for the vaccination through the county website into Phase 1A, so they do not have to register again.

Once sufficient vaccine supplies arrive, Bucks County plans to convert three COVID-19 testing sites, including the one in Bristol Township, into vaccine centers, McKevitt said.

The county intends to put together small strike teams to deliver vaccinations to residents at senior communities, housing authority properties, and those experiencing, homeless, McKevitt said.

County officials said Wednesday that more than 1,000 people have been tested at the free COVID-19 testing sites that are open through the end of the month.

Since the pandemic begin and through Wednesday night, Bucks County has seen 37,215 COVID-19 cases and 994 deaths.

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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