DELAWARE- Phase 1A of COVID-19 vaccinations continue in the first state with preparations for Phase 1B underway.
In an effort to get closer to the finish line in Phase 1A, the Delaware Division of Public Health is setting up Points of Dispensing or POD’s statewide. Anyone who is eligible to receive the vaccine in a certain POD has been told by their employer with DPH’s guidance.
This weekend through Monday, Dover will be the first site with Delaware City and Georgetown expected to host POD’s next weekend.
While more facilities are approved to give the vaccine, DPH Assistant Medical Director Dr. Richard Pescatore says POD’s will provide a central location where many people can be vaccinated as the supply continues to grow.
"We recently received an allotment of vaccines from the federal government which enables us to activate these POD’s and to have a high frequency of vaccine and deliver a higher amount of vaccine into the public," Dr. Pescatore said.
245 facilities have been approved to give the vaccine including Bayhealth and Beebe Medical Centers. With permission from the federal government, giving vaccines was expanded to include pharmacies which DPH Medical Director Dr. Richard Hong thinks could drive distribution especially in the early stages.
"I do envision that they are going to be key parts in getting phase 1B, some of Phase 1A, and 1C and so forth," Dr. Hong said. "We want to make sure that partnership thrives and we want to make sure they can provide vaccine to those groups."