PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — New COVID-19 cases are rising again in Philadelphia, averaging more than 300 a day. Meanwhile, the city's vaccine supply from the federal government is starting to level out.
As the number of doses coming to the city rose over the last several months, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health expanded its capacity to distribute them.
The city's new walk-up arrangement — which allows people from the 22 most under-vaccinated ZIP codes to get their shots at the Pennsylvania Convention Center without an appointment — seems to be working to get the vaccine distributed more equitably. The clinic is on pace to administer more than 100,000 first doses so far.
However, the supply of doses is plateauing, and an old concern is arising.
"It is possible that we'll shift at some point in the future and we'll be limited by how many doses we get in the city," said Health Commissioner Dr. Tom Farley.
For now, the vaccine board is confident enough to add some new people into the priority group that is currently eligible for the vaccine. That includes people with intellectual disabilities, clergy members and anyone taking immune-suppressive medication.
"That was due to a new (Thomas Jefferson) study showing that these people have a high risk for COVID mortality," added Farley.
The priority group also includes election officials, but not poll workers, who will each interact with hundreds of people on Election Day.
"The committee didn't feel they had enough exposure to be worth moving into 1b," said Farley.
Election officials disagree. Both the City Commissioners and the Department of State said they will continue asking for poll workers to be vaccinated ahead of the May 18 primary.
President Joe Biden has moved to speed up vaccine deliveries. The country is expected to soon reach his goal of injecting 100 million vaccines into people's arms.
