PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Demand for the COVID-19 vaccine seems to be waning at Philadelphia’s two designated FEMA sites. Officials say that for everyone who wants it, now is the time to get it.
Charlie Elison, external affairs officer for FEMA Region 3, said that in the past ten days or so, they’ve seen a steep decline in demand for vaccinations at the city’s FEMA sites. That has also coincided with the opening of hundreds of regional sites.
“I can’t give specific numbers, but we have been in the hundreds of people per day when we should be in the thousands," Elison said.
The reasons for lower demand for COVID-19 vaccines vary.
“I have family members who are still hesitant to get vaccinated," said Tyler Bird of West Chester. He has been vaccinated.
Crystal from Philadelphia said she was eligible but took her time, as it was one more thing on her to-do list.
“Just timing. Work, timing," she admitted. She expressed that she’s not vaccine hesitant, but she didn’t want to travel or wait in line for the vaccine.
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One man admitted he wasn’t in a rush to get vaccinated, but was in a rush to take a vacation.
"I want to go to Mexico," Bob from Fairmount said.
Others believe that those taking their time to get COVID-19 shots will do so as it impacts their lives.
“Now that things are opening up more and people want to travel, I think it’s going to be that they’re going to require the vaccine, and then colleges are going to be starting up again in September,“ Carolyn from Northeast Philly said.
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Montgomery County Commissioner Dr. Val Arkoosh said that the slower pace of vaccines will impact the region in achieving herd immunity.
“19% of the (Montgomery County) population are children that are under 16. So to get a real solid herd immunity, every single adult in Montgomery County would have to be vaccinated. That would bring us to 80%," said Arkoosh.
"That’s probably not going to happen, so it will be very important that a substantial percentage of children under 16 do get vaccinated.”
Elison says the FEMA sites will administer first doses until May 5th, and will be wrapping up their operations three weeks afterwards.
“If you come here right now when there’s virtually no line, you’ll be in and out in 30 minutes or less,“ said Elison, who said the longest part of the visit will be the 15-minute wait for observation.
"It’s your turn. If you’re still waiting, it is literally your turn right now.“