COVID-19 vaccination sign-ups available

WEST CHESTER » Residents of Chester County can now pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine by completing a form found on the Chester County Health Department’s COVID-19 web page.

The form for all individuals age 16 and over who live and work in Chester County can be found at www.chesco.org/covidvaccine.

Completion of the form registers a person’s interest in receiving the vaccine, and the information provided helps the Health Department to place each individual into the Phase 1A, 1B, 1C and Phase 2 categories.

The recent change in Phase 1A groups, announced earlier this week by the PA Department of Health, led the Chester County Health Department to revise its original pre-registration survey, moving it away from just Phase 1A and 1B, and opening pre-registration to all who live and work in Chester County.

Chester County Health Department Director Jeanne Casner said, “The information we have collected for everyone who has already pre-registered their interest in receiving the CO

VID-19 vaccine remains in our database. But because of the Commonwealth’s changes in Phase 1A groups, we are asking everyone who falls into the group defined as ‘age 16-64 with medical conditions’, to complete the form again, to ensure they are moved to Phase 1A.

“Everyone who has submitted, or will be submitting a pre-registration form will receive a confirmation of receipt, and will then receive regular updates on the status of vaccine distribution in Chester County – until such time as they are asked to schedule a vaccination appointment,” added Casner.

The Chester County Health Department continues to process the impact of the recent changes made by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, moving those over the age of 65 and those 16-64 with certain medical conditions into Phase 1A. This change adds more than 90,000 eligible people to Phase 1A in Chester County.

On average, the Chester County Health Department has received 2,000 doses per week, and in total, the county has been averaging receipt of 6,000 doses of the vaccine each week, divided among all providers.

“The increase in Phase 1A eligibility hasn’t come with an increase in vaccine doses,” said Casner. “In fact, we have been told there will likely be vaccine shortages, and just this week only received half of our requested doses — 2,500 instead of 5,000.” The shortage of vaccine is not exclusive to Chester County. All other regions within the Pennsylvania — and the nation — are currently affected by the lack of vaccine supply.

The Chester County Health Department opens appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine based on the availability of vaccine to administer. Additional vaccination sites — beyond the current site at the Chester County Government Services Center in West Chester — have been secured and will begin operating over the next few weeks, but only as vaccine supplies allow.

For Chester County’s comprehensive COVID-19 information and updates, including testing locations and times, data and mapping, as well as vaccine information, go to www. chesco.org/coronavirus.