Bucks County To Open Public Vaccination Clinics Next Week

Bucks County will open public COVID-19 vaccination clinics for some Phase 1A-qualified residents next week.

Audrey Kenny, the county’s interim emergency management director, announced Thursday morning that three clinics will be open by appointment-only at Bucks County Community College’s main campus in Newtown Township, Bucks County Community College’s Upper Bucks Campus outside of Perkasie, and Bucks County Community College’s Gene and Marlene Epstein Campus at Lower Bucks on Veterans Highway in Bristol Township. The clinics will operate Tuesday through Saturday during the day and evening.

The clinics, which are run through a $14 million contract with AMI Expeditionary Healthcare, plan to administer 200 doses per day to start. The clinics are funded through federal funds sent to the county.

Those who will be contacted by county health workers for vaccination are in Phase 1A and registered through the county health department site. So far, close to 200,000 residents have registered.

The county is picking those being contacted for vaccination in order of registration and qualification, officials said.

As part of a “soft-launch,” the county was able to vaccinate a “small number” of senior citizens who are 85-plus through a clinic this week.

Long-term care residents and staff, health care workers, emergency medical responders, and other front line workers have been vaccinated through the county, area hospitals, and a federal and state partnership with private pharmacies.

Bucks County officials expect the health department to get 3,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines next week. They are hoping for 5,000 doses per week going forward and aim to keep scaling up.

See The State’s Multi-Phase Vaccination Plan

So far, 86 percent of vaccine doses that have come into Bucks County have gone to hospitals and pharmacies. The county has received the remaining 14 percent.

As of Thursday morning, there have been 35,863 partial vaccinations and 13,792 full vaccinations, according to state health department data.

Bucks County Health Department Director Dr. David Damkser said everyone is doing the best they can to get vaccines to patients.

The Bucks County Commissioners said more vaccine doses are needed and the county is prepared to expand inoculations. Last week, Bucks County officials said they have the capacity to vaccinate up to 15,000 people per week.

Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia said officials are looking at other sites in the county as potential mass vaccination clinics, but those sites have asked not to be named until the plan is finalized.

The AMI Expeditionary Healthcare contract allows for the firm to operate as many as six vaccination clinics within the county.

Patch.com reported that the Neshaminy Mall and senior center in Bensalem Township will be vaccination clinics, citing Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo.

Damsker and the commissioners stated they wish there were more vaccine doses available. However, the number of vaccinations that can be given depends on how many doses can be produced and distributed.

Ellis-Marseglia said county officials have been speaking with state officials, neighboring county officials, elected state representatives and state senators from both parties, and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick about vaccine rollout.

County officials in the region are hearing complaints about limited vaccine doses.

“This is a frustration nationwide,” Harvie said.

The rollout has been complicated by two doses needed for both vaccines, the storage requirements, and the 15-minute wait period for patients after being administered a dose, Damsker and Harvie said.

Looking forward, Damsker said he can’t wait for a time where they will be too many vaccine doses in the county.

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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