Where are the vaccines? That's what Pennsylvanians are asking as the vaccination rollout in the state is taking longer than expected.
Some reports indicate that only about one-third of the doses sent to our state have actually been injected so far.
"We absolutely need to get vaccines into arms," said State Health Secretary Rachel Levine.
Levine partly blames the delays on the holidays. "I think it was always going to be a challenge during those 2-3 weeks to be able to administer the vaccines that were sent to us," she said.
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She expects distribution will ramp up over the next couple weeks.
Another quarter million doses are expected to be delivered across the state this week. But some of those are intended to be second-round doses for health care workers who've already been vaccinated.
Residents and staff at 115 nursing homes across the state have been vaccinated through a federal program that includes a partnership with CVS and Walgreens.
Residents and staff at some Allegheny County's Kane nursing homes were being vaccinated Monday. Employees from CVS and Walgreens began injecting vaccinations at Kane Community Living Centers, beginning with the Ross Township facility, according to County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.
With vaccinations being administered at hospitals and nursing homes across the state, many Pennsylvanians are asking when the next phase - 1B - will begin. That next phase will include first responders, teachers, and all residents 75 and older.
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Many other states have already set up mass vaccination clinics to give injections to elderly residents. That's not the case here in Pennsylvania where plans appear to be lagging.
"We are working on those plans right now, so I don't have specific details for you" Levine told reporters.
Dr. Levine says the state will rely on pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals. And they've been waiting on federal financial support to contract with healthcare workers.
She says the latest stimulus package included about $7 billion for states to distribute the vaccines.
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Also, unlike other states that are already using drive-by clinics to speed up the process, Levine says Pennsylvania will require pre-registration.
A massive outbreak of coronavirus has hit a senior living center in Butler County. According to state data, Concordia Lutheran Ministries in Cabot has reported 139 residents infected with the virus. 27 residents there have died.
According to the state Health Department's vaccine tracker, Allegheny County has administered twice as many doses of the coronavirus vaccines than any other county. Nearly 15,500 doses have been injected through local hospitals.
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Lehigh and Montgomery counties have the next highest rate of immunization. Each have distributed just over 7500 vaccines.