PENNSYLVANIA, USA — Pennsylvania is celebrating a milestone of vaccinating 100,000 educators as it's also facing a reality of receiving far less doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine than it needs.
Pennsylvania Department of Health's Acting Secretary, Alison Beam, told FOX43 the state was expecting 200,000 Johnson & Johnson vaccines by the end of March. But, it will only receive around 65,000 in the second round of deliveries.
"We will continue to advocate for more vaccine but I think it's our responsibility to fulfill our missions based on what we actually end up receiving," said Beam who said the delivery shortage was the result of manufacturing issues and expanded federal partnerships.
As of Friday morning, 102,161 educators had been vaccinated through 28 Intermediate Units. The state said around 17,000 of the state's 38,000 child care workers had been vaccinated.
“Vaccinating more than 100,000 teachers and staff in less than two weeks is a big step to help students return to the classroom and stay in school,” said Gov. Wolf.
The Governor and bipartisan COVID-19 task force announced nearly 3 weeks ago that school staff and child care workers would be prioritized for the COVID-19 vaccine. Districts are coordinating vaccinations through intermediate units as pharmacies are working directly with childcare centers.
Among those leading the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine, the Capital Area Intermediate, which has vaccinated 7,172 people in just the past 12-13 days throughout 24 districts.
"It's funny how happy people are to get a vaccine," said Executive Director Dr. Andria Saia who also thanks the PA National Guard and AMI Expeditionary Healthcare for their help in coordinating the mass clinics. "It's just remarkable how people let the anxiety melt away and worry that they've had all this time. To be able to get a vaccine is a gift beyond people being happy to get a needle in their arm."