Wolf: Pa. Near end of phase 1A vaccinations against covidus

Pennsylvania is “catching up” with vaccine distribution, Governor Wolf said on Tuesday.

About 31% of the Commonwealth’s population received their first dose, compared to a national average of 29%, he said. Pennsylvania matches the national average for the number of people who received a second dose, at 16%.

“If you look at the 10 most populous states, we’re No. 1 in the country, in terms of first doses,” Wolf said. “And we’re tied for second place with a group of the larger states for (second doses).”

Wolf provided an update on the vaccine deployment in Pennsylvania while visiting a UPMC drive-thru vaccination site in Dauphin County.

“We are making very good progress in releasing the vaccine, and what you see behind us here is an example of the great work people are doing across the Commonwealth,” he said.

Wolf was optimistic about the state’s progress in vaccine distribution, estimating that Pennsylvania was about 75% of the way to Phase 1A, “and we should be done with it pretty soon.” Wolf’s initiative to vaccinate all teachers and school staff with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is also nearing completion, he said.

Phase 1A, initially reserved for health workers, has expanded to include residents aged 75 and over. This phase has widened again to align with federal guidelines that transfer anyone aged 65 and over and those aged 16 to 64 with certain conditions in the first priority group.

In early March, the Wolf administration announced that it was reserving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for educators, helpers, bus drivers and other state personnel.

It is still unclear exactly how eligibility will increase once Phase 1A is over. Wolf hinted last week that the phases may become stale as eligibility widens.

He said on Tuesday that he expected a “regular cadence” of vaccines to be allocated by the federal government and that he anticipates being able to offer vaccine eligibility to every adult by the next. May 1 – a goal set by President Joe Biden. Wolf said Pennsylvania should be able to meet this deadline, but did not give a specific date.

“Most states actually have a deadline… before the May 1 deadline,” Wolf said. “We’re talking about that now, about how we want to progress to where we are now and how quickly we can do it. We have a better idea of ​​the supply, of the vaccines to come, of the demand. ”

Wolf and health officials said on March 12 that anyone in Phase 1A who wants to get the shot should be able to have a scheduled appointment by the end of the month. On the same day, officials also pledged to raise the priority of some essential workers and doubled to meet the open May 1 eligibility target.

“I think we are on schedule to do it,” he said on Tuesday.

Teghan Simonton is a writer for Tribune-Review. You can contact Teghan at 724-226-4680, [email protected] or via Twitter .