Four walk-in vaccination clinics open
Four standalone clinics are now open for residents who still need a COVID-19 vaccination, including children 12 and older.
The Delaware Division of Public Health said the clinics will remain open for the next several months, and are also available for people who want to make an appointment. To make appointments at these four new clinics – as well as at DPH clinics in state service centers – call 1-833-643-1715. Officials said these clinics use Pfizer vaccine, which was approved May 10 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for children 12 and older. Written parental consent is required to vaccinate individuals younger than 18 years old, officials said, but the parent is not required to be on site with the child during the vaccination.
Vaccines for people with appointments and walk-in clients will be available from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:15 to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the following locations:
- Georgetown Plaza, 19 Georgetown Plaza, Georgetown
- Blue Hen Corporate Center, 655 S. Bay Road, Suite 1A, Dover
- Oxford Plaza, 256 Chapman Road, Suite 100, Newark
- Canby Park, 1946 Maryland Ave., Wilmington.
“As we look to increase our vaccinated population, especially to reach young people who will be going back to college and school at the end of summer, these new vaccination-only clinics have the capacity to administer thousands of vaccines a week,” DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay said. “These standing vaccination clinics, along with our public health clinics at state service centers, Curative sites, medical providers, pharmacies and community events will all be a part of increasing Delawareans’ protection against COVID-19 substantially in the next several months.”
For a full list of Division of Public Health clinic sites, as well as other vaccination opportunities, visit de.gov/getmyvaccine.
Dover’s NASCAR weekend to offer vaccinations
As part of its commitment to the community during this unprecedented time, Dover International Speedway officials said, the speedway will host walk-up COVID-19 vaccination events from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, May 15 and 16, during its NASCAR tripleheader weekend.
A walk-up tent presented by Ally will be set up near the Monster Monument at Victory Plaza for anyone 18 and older to receive the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. DPH, Delaware Medical Reserve Corps and Delaware National Guard personnel will help staff the event, officials said.
No reservations or appointments will be taken, and a maximum of 500 shots per day will be given. Parking at Dover International Speedway is free on Saturday, and $10 on Sunday.
While other NASCAR facilities have hosted vaccine centers, officials said, they believe Dover is the first NASCAR track to host a vaccination event during race weekend.
“We certainly appreciate all the effort and work that our agency friends put into these events,” said Jim Hosfelt, Dover International Speedway assistant vice president for public safety and track operations. “Throughout the pandemic, we’ve seen this community come together to help each other, and the speedway is proud to be able to assist with those events.”
More than 77,000 people have been vaccinated at Dover International Speedway since the weekend vaccination efforts began in late February; the most recent such event was held May 1.
Dover International Speedway’s upcoming NASCAR tripleheader weekend May 14-16 includes the Drydene 400 NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, May 16.
The speedway, in consultation with state public health officials, was permitted to host fans in its grandstands for race weekend after the track’s COVID-19 pandemic health and safety protocols were approved.
Special fan procedures include social distancing in grandstands and concession lines, digital tickets for all grandstand seats, mask-wearing required, enhanced cleaning in high-traffic areas, added hand sanitizer stations, and infield access prohibited except for race teams, track personnel and select media.
