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Orderly and planned distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine is a priority for the Wolf administration and today Governor Tom Wolf and Department of Health Secretary Dr Rachel Levine shared an update on the vaccine , emphasizing its harmlessness and effectiveness.
They were joined at a press conference to provide an update on COVID-19 by the director of testing and contact tracing for the state, Michael Huff; and Dr. Cynthia Chuang, chief of the Division of General Internal Medicine at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
“I am here to tell you that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe to use and very effective in protecting those vaccinated,” Governor Wolf said. “If you hear a rumor about COVID-19 from a friend, or see something online that concerns you, take a few minutes to verify the information before you worry. Five minutes of fact checking can save you and your loved ones a lot of hassle. “
Dr Levine provided an update on the number of vaccines distributed by the federal government in the Commonwealth. That number reaches one million as the state enters its fifth week of receiving the vaccine.
“Our mission to immunize any Pennsylvanian who wants a vaccine continues,” Dr. Levine said. “The Federal Pharmacy Partnership has immunization clinics at 159 qualified nursing facilities this week. Vaccine suppliers administered the vaccine to a total of 311,477 people, of which 251,133 received their first dose and 30,172 who received two doses and are considered fully immunized. “
Information on the vaccine, including the state’s immunization plan, COVID-19 vaccine dashboard, a map of vaccine vendors, and vaccine distribution data can be found here.
Dr Chuang discussed the safety of the vaccine from the perspective of a doctor involved in the process of vaccinating healthcare workers, dispelling myths such as that the vaccine cannot be safe because it has been developed so quickly.
“Rigorous clinical trials have shown that COVID vaccines are highly effective and safe,” said Dr. Cynthia Chuang, chief of the division of general internal medicine at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. “I can’t wait to see when my patients can be offered the vaccine.”
Dir. Huff provided an update on state testing, saying, “Robust COVID-19 testing continues in Pennsylvania. To date, nearly 9 million test results have been received in Pennsylvania. Our COVID-19 testing provider continues to offer regional testing in five counties each week, as well as at our more than 900 testing sites across the Commonwealth. “
As of last week, regional testing sites were located in Crawford, Dauphin, Lehigh, Somerset and Union counties, and tested around 6,700 people. This week’s regional test sites are in Bradford, Clarion, Fulton, Lancaster and Pike counties, and will end on Saturday.
“You can always find accurate and up-to-date information on testing, vaccine safety, and distribution on the Pennsylvania Department of Health website,” Governor Wolf said. “Or through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“COVID-19 vaccines are an important tool in our fight against COVID-19, but they will only be an effective tool if Pennsylvanians get vaccinated, and we need to get vaccinated – because these vaccines are both safe to use and very effective. “
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