While it’s been reported that the COVID-19 vaccine rollout has not gone as quickly as anticipated, health officials in Delaware County are gearing up for Phase 1B priority group, according to a press release. However, there’s no time frame on when the second phase will begin.

Currently, people in the Phase 1A group — healthcare workers, EMS workers, residents and staff of long-term care facilities, and medical examiner and funeral staff — are receiving vaccinations.

“Due to the limited supply of the vaccine, healthcare workers, EMS staff, long-term care facilities, and medical examiner and funeral staff are the priority for vaccination distribution. Delaware County is committed to ensuring safe and timely distribution of the COVID-19 vaccination and continues to work with the County’s hospitals and the Chester County Health Department to administer the vaccine as quickly as possible. As of Jan. 4, 4,435 COVID-19 vaccines were administered in the county, which is a similar rate compared to neighboring counties,” the release said.

Phase 1B will include childcare staff, corrections staff, county, and municipal administration staff, educators/education staff, firefighters, food and agriculture staff, grocery store staff, law enforcement, manufacturing staff, transit staff, U.S. Postal Service employees, and residents age 75 years and older.

The Chester County Health Department (Delaware County does not have a health department) has updated its home page and vaccine webpage to include information and links for residents to learn more about the vaccine phases and to indicate interest in receiving a vaccine.