FEMA's 1st Mass Vaccination Site In PA: 6 Questions Answered

PHILADELPHIA — The federal government is coming to Philadelphia in an effort to bolster its coronavirus vaccination efforts. Set to open in early March, a mass coronavirus vaccine site for members of the public will be held in the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.

Here's what we know so far about the effort:

How many vaccines will be given?

Philadelphia's Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said Tuesday the site aims to vaccinate 6,000 people per day.

Who is eligible?

Only residents who are 75 and older, have one of the listed medical conditions that put them at high risk, and who are frontline essential workers will be given appointments. Priority will be given to residents in less-vaccinated ZIP codes who meet the eligibility criteria.

How do I register for an appointment?

Vaccination appointments will be given to those who sign up using the city's vaccine interest form, which is available online here.

Which vaccine will be used?

The FEMA-run site will use the Pfizer vaccine and be open for six weeks. The site will be staffed by FEMA, CDC, and federal Department of Health and Human Services workers.

Why did FEMA pick Philadelphia?

Officials said it was the Pennsylvania Convention Center's central location, accessibility by public transportation, logistics capability, large size, and existing city contracts in support of vaccination operations that led to it being chosen as the first federally operated site in Pennsylvania.

"Our three goals for distributing vaccine have always been: do it fast, do it so it saves the most lives, and do it equitably," Farley said. "With FEMA agreeing to support a Vaccination Center in Philadelphia, we can administer vaccines faster, and by holding it at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, in a central location near multiple public transit lines, we can ensure that many of our highest risk residents and people of all backgrounds can get easy, equitable access."

The Philadelphia site could have a vaccination throughput of several thousand doses per day when it reaches maximum operating capacity and would come with its own vaccination allocation, in addition to what the city of Philadelphia already receives.

Will other FEMA mass vaccination sites open in Pennsylvania?

FEMA is working with Pennsylvania officials to assess other potential federally supported vaccination sites in the state. Specific details on any additional efforts have not been announced.

Philadelphia health officials are holding a news conference Friday afternoon and Patch will update the story with any additional details on the FEMA site.