Vaccination venues expand as more receive shots

Vaccination waitlists are opening up to more people, and more venues are offering shots as Delaware's vaccination process moves forward.

Gov. John Carney opened vaccines March 16 to people age 50 and older, and also those 16 and older with qualifying health conditions.

In anticipation of expanded vaccinations March 14, Beebe Healthcare had contacted people on its waiting list, and it continues to offer sign-ups at www.beebehealthcare.org/covid-19-vaccine or by calling 302-645-3200.

“We want this next process to be as efficient as possible to continue vaccinating our community members and our workers here in Sussex County,” said Dr. David Tam, Beebe Healthcare president and chief executive officer.

According to a Beebe press release, the Division of Public Health has directed hospitals to focus vaccinations on those 16 and older who have moderate- or high-risk medical conditions.

High-risk conditions include cancer, obesity, kidney disease, heart disease, COPD, and those who smoke, or have intellectual or developmental disabilities. Moderate-risk conditions include asthma, high blood pressure, liver disease, or those who are overweight or immunocompromised.

Bayhealth Hospital in both Kent and Sussex counties has also opened its waitlist for people 16 and older with health issues.

“As a regional healthcare leader, we are proud to continue offering COVID-19 vaccines to our community through our vaccine clinics,” said Michael Ashton, Bayhealth vice president of operations. “This expansion of vaccine allocation is a big step in providing vaccines to more community members.”

The Bayhealth waitlist is available at Bayhealth.org/COVID-19-Vaccine, and those who do not have computer access can call 302-310-8477.

Vaccine appointments continue to depend on supply from the state and federal governments, Bayhealth said in a press release.

State vaccine data posted March 20 shows the state has received 373,960 vaccine doses, and another 83,395 have been delivered through federal provider programs.

A total of 373,087 shots have been given, and there are 84,268 doses remaining. Since Feb. 22, the state has been receiving more than 40,000 doses a week.

According to statistics provided on My Healthy Community, about one-third of Delaware's eligible residents have received at least one shot. As of March 20, 132,702 have been fully vaccinated, and 114,419 have received one dose of a two-dose series.

There have been 92,287 positive COVID-19 cases reported since March 2020.