Gov. John Carney and the Delaware Division on Public Health today confirmed an expansion of the state’s vaccination program after earlier media reports of the change.
It marks a change that will target medically vulnerable populations and those between 50 and 65, rather than moving to Phase 1C.
On Wednesday, pharmacies in Delaware may begin vaccinating Delawareans over 50. The state’s sign-up list for vaccine will begin adding those over age 50 beginning on March 23.
Also on Wednesday, health care providers, including hospitals, may vaccinate patients 16-plus with high and moderate-risk medical conditions. Providers who are npt vaccinating may refer patients to hospital systems.
Delawareans with underlying conditions are asked contact their medical provider about vaccination opportunities. DPH also encouraged providers to contact their highest risk patients directly to schedule vaccination appointments.
Non-paid caregivers of Delawareans with high- and moderate-risk medical conditions may also qualify for vaccination through medical providers.
Today the State of Delaware will open its Covid-19 vaccination waiting list at vaccinerequest.delaware.gov to any Delawarean, 50+.
As of Monday, Delaware vaccination providers had administered 319,587 doses of Covid-19 vaccine.
Twenty percent of Delaware’s population has received at least one dose of the vaccine. Carney’s announcement on Tuesday is in line with President Biden’s directive to make all adults eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine by May 1.
“Our vaccine supply has significantly increased, and as the number of seniors who are requesting vaccination appointments continues to drop, we are in a position to make them available to more Delawareans,” said Public Health Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “So we are making a strong push through the end of March to vaccinate the remaining seniors 65-plus and frontline essential workers who want a vaccine, and are excited to be able to begin reaching other vulnerable Delawareans.”
Over the next several weeks, the State of Delaware will continue to focus on vaccinating 65-plus Delawareans who are registered on the state’s waiting list. Any Delawarean who is 65+ and not currently registered on the state’s vaccination waiting list should register at vaccinerequest.delaware.gov for an opportunity to be vaccinated. Invitations for state-coordinated vaccination are now being sent to all persons remaining on the waiting list.
Pharmacies have also seen an increase in vaccination supplies and an increased opportunities for appointments. Walgreens has been administering the most vaccine, with independent pharmacies, Rite Aid and CVS also offering opportunities.
According to the State of Delaware’s new vaccination guidance, Delaware health care providers, including hospitals, should use their clinical judgement to vaccinate individuals 16-64 with underlying health conditions. The list of qualifying conditions provided by the state does not include all conditions.
The State of Delaware also will continue to partner with employers to vaccinate front-line, 1B-eligible workers, and begin moving into vaccinations for other essential workers. Employers who have not contacted the Division of Public Health (DPH) should email vaccineplanning@delaware.gov to begin developing vaccination plans for their employees.
Further information on Delaware’s vaccination program at de.gov/covidvaccine.
