PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Coronavirus vaccine supply continues to increase, which means there are more places to get the shot.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health trimmed the number of providers last month when demand for the vaccine significantly outpacing supply. They’re expanding that number, now up to 400 across the state.
Skippack Pharmacy has been one of the larger providers. Owner Mayank Amin, better known as Dr. Mak, says last weekend they administered 5,000 shots, and while he says that’s still a great number, it’s about 75% what they were expecting.
"This was the first time since I guess two-and-a-half months where we had any open appointments," Amin said.
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He says back in February, if they sent an email saying they had open slots, they’d be filled in minutes. But now they have sign-ups available through their Facebook page.
Amin gained worldwide attention, wearing his Superman costume at his clinics, and he says they’re still making it an event, with live bands and DJ for the high-school focused clinic last week.
"Likewise when the 12- to 15-year-old group comes out, we’re going to have to make it a little bit different for them, because many of them might be scared to get the vaccine."
Anyone under 18 needs to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. He says there is a lot of interest in the 16-and-up crowd, as many of them want to get back to normal. But he says the days of their massive 800-volunteer, first-dose clinics are probably behind them.
"I think, in Montgomery County, we’re in pretty good shape right now, between the county’s multiple mega-sites and also a lot of the independent pharmacies," he said.
Montgomery County-run sites are mostly appointment only.
Bucks County is allowing walk-ins at its five county-run clinics.
Delaware County says appointments are still recommended, but they are also accepting walk-ins or drive-ins are their county run sites.