PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia has hit a new milestone in COVID-19 vaccination rates. Officials announced Monday that 80% of adults have received at least one dose.
After the initial rush by those who wanted the vaccine, the city has been coaxing and prodding those who have been hesitant.
Officials said the results show in an analysis of vaccine rates in the largest cities, with Philadelphia making some of the largest gains over the course of the summer, second only to New York.
Mayor Jim Kenney credits outreach at the community level.
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"We partnered with our health systems, Black Doctors [COVID-19] Consortium, neighborhood organizations, our fire department. Our health department’s done a phenomenal job," Kenney said.
"Obviously there were a lot of concerns in the Black and brown communities of our city. They were not confident it was the right thing to do, and I do think the Black Doctors Consortium helped very much getting over that fear."
Kenney says the city won’t rest until it gets the next 20% vaccinated.
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"As soon as we can get to close to 100%, life will be different," Kenney said.
"We won’t have to put on masks. We won’t have to worry about interactions in retail outlets. We can be free again."
Despite the high vaccination rate, the city is struggling with the delta variant outbreak, averaging close to 300 new cases each day. Kenney shared his displeasure at the current pace of vaccinations.
"I’m not going to criticize the people who refuse to get it. I just really do not understand the mentality," said Kenney.
"I wish for their sake and for the sake of everyone else they would get it. It’s safe, it’s free and there’s really no reason not to get it except for being obstinate."