Homeland Security and FEMA Officials Tour New Philly Vaccination Site
by Alex Lloyd Gross
The City of Philadelphia has implemented a centralized COVID-19 Vaccination site at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.. It is at the entry at 11th and Arch Street. There, city residents with an appointment will enter and get a vaccine. It will be operational for 30 days, starting tomorrow, March 3, 2021. The hours are from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Today, March 2, 2021 city employees were in line for their vaccinations.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejando Mayorkas and acting FEMA Deputy Administrator MaryAnn Tierney were given a tour of the facility and held a press conference. It was there, that they were able to dispel the rumors surrounding the COVID-19 Vaccination cards that people receive after they get their shots. “They are a very important document and you should photocopy it and take a picture of it,” said Mayorkas. They will not be used as a sort of “passport” to get to attend city events or to be used as a precursor to gain entry to any establishment. “That is not the intent of these cards,” said Tierney. They could not give a definitive answer on what to do for lost or stolen cards.
Complaints about vaccine shortages or not being able to be found in Northeast Philadelphia are being addressed. People that want a vaccine should call 311. or go to this website. According to Jim Garrow, spokesperson for the City of Philadelphia health Department, the sign in procedure is revamped. People now get a confirmation. Those people that are eligible can get an appointment. The city intends to vaccinate 6000 people a day. Senior citizens can ride SEPTA for free to get their vaccine, there is a drop off zone or cabs and ride shares.and there will be discounted parking at lots adjacent to the convention center.
After this site closes, city leaders hope to have other sites up and running in all areas of the city. At the site, representatives of the Civil Air Patrol were on hand to administer the vaccines. They are currently giving out the Pfizer vaccines. The city is expecting some doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine within a week. Officials are not certain if the convention center site will have them or not.
People getting a vaccination will go through a temperature screening before entering the building..