COVID-19 in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware: Tri-state officials say vaccine supply can’t meet demand

BLACKWOOD, New Jersey (WPVI) – As part of President Joe Biden’s $ 1.9 trillion plan, $ 20 billion will support a target of 100 million COVID-19 vaccinations in his first 100 days in the power.

Under this plan, people over 65 would be eligible for the vaccine in nearly all local municipalities.

For people who are not comfortable with the online registration process, states have developed their own call centers. But when you call the Delaware hotline, you get a busy dial tone.

Dr Karyl Rattay, director of the Delaware Department of Public Health, said demand could not meet supply.

The group 1B immunization category includes 200,000 Delawarians, and the state has only received about 15,000 vaccines per week.

RELATED: Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Officials Expand COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

“We don’t have enough vaccines to serve this population right now,” Rattay said.

On the first day of the webpage launch, 56,000 Delawareans requested an appointment for a vaccine in Group 1B.

Rattay suggested that friends, family and neighbors help seniors who are uncomfortable signing up for the vaccine online.

In Pennsylvania, you are asked to make an appointment for a vaccine using a provider card on the state’s web page.

In Philadelphia, you can only express your interest online and then the Department of Health will contact you.

“When people are eligible, we’ll contact them to find out how to set up an appointment,” said Dr Thomas Farley, Philadelphia Health Commissioner.

In Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, interest in the vaccine is skyrocketing, but more doses are still needed.

“This morning, 80,000 people pre-registered at our vaccination site,” said Dr. Valarie Arkoosh, chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners.

The County of Chester now has Category 1B people who need to be vaccinated immediately. The county is updating vaccine interest forms to reflect these changes.

In New Jersey, you can’t reach a state health department representative by phone until next week.

In Camden County, appointments are already full until August. These appointments can be booked through the Cooper Hospital web page, which can accommodate 6,000 visitors per second.

If you prefer to call for an appointment, the Camden County Health Department can be reached at (800) 999-9045.

“Soon we will be vaccinating over 1,000 people a day,” said Margarita Camacho, a Camden County public health nurse.

Ruth Brodnick’s daughter listed her on the Cooper Hospital webpage. After receiving her first dose, she has already been scheduled for her second dose.

“Here I am, it’s a wonderful day. It’s a wonderful day for me and a wonderful day for our country,” said Brodnick.