Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
J&J vaccine again available in county
WEST GOSHEN >> The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is now again available in Chester County.
Distribution of the one-dose vaccine to combat COVID-19 had been temporarily halted for about 10 days due to a small number of cases of rare but severe blood clots in people who had been given the vaccine.
However, federal health officials have determined that the benefits of this vaccine far outweigh the risks.
Two new large vaccine clinic sites in the county will administer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. These new sites are:
· The Exton Square Mall, in the former Sears store; Opening on Tuesday, April 27. Vaccine Clinic Hours: Tuesday – Friday 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
· Longwood Gardens, a drivethrough site at the overflow parking area; Opening on Thursday, April 29. Vaccine Clinic Hours:Tuesday – Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Appointments for the singledose Johnson & Johnson vaccine can be scheduled for both of these locations now. To schedule, go to https://chesterpaprod.servicenow.com/vam.
Combined, these sites will have the capacity to administer 2,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine per
day. The Chester County Health Department currently holds 17,875 does of the J&J vaccine that has been stored since the pause went into effect.
Also, as of Friday, 60 percent of everyone in Chester County who is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine has been partially or fully vaccinated.
Health Department Director Jeanne Franklin talked about the battle against COVID as part of a Monday release.
“We know that Chester County residents care about their health and the health of those around them,” she said. “It is why we have been ranked as one of the healthiest counties in the state – and even the nation – for many years.
“The weapons that we have to fight COVID-19 are strongest when used together, and vaccination, by far is the most essential of all the weapons. Our federal and state experts have reviewed and determined that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is safe to use, and we ask everyone who is eligible, to be vaccinated as soon as possible, using any of the three vaccines available.”
Chester County is also administering COVID-19 vaccines made by PfizerBioNTech and Moderna, both of which require two doses.
The call center can answer COVID-19 questions and can register individuals who do not have access to the internet, or would prefer to speak to a live person. Call 610-344-6225.
You can also use the call center if you are having issues booking a vaccine appointment online. The county call center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.to noon on Saturdays.
In addition to the two new clinics opening this week, the Chester County Health Department is holding vaccine clinics at: Government Services Center (West Chester); West Chester University’s Sturzebecker Health Sciences Center; Jennersville YMCA; Kimberton Fire Company; Brandywine YMCA in Coatesville. There are three clinics for seniors at the Phoenixville Senior Center, the Brandywine Valley Active Aging Center (formerly Coatesville Senior Center) and the Oxford Area Senior Center.
For information on all things COVID-19, go to chesco.org/coronavirus.
For information on COVID-19 Vaccine, go to chesco.org/covidvaccine.