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HOLLIDAYSBURG -- A week ago after federal leaders recommended adding those 65 and older to the top priority group for COVID-19 vaccinations, Blair County Director of Public Safety Mark Taylor's said his office phones started ringing.
"We've been fielding calls ever since, particularly from the elderly looking for when and where to get vaccinated," Taylor said Tuesday when addressing county commissioners. "Unfortunately, it's going to take some time for the state to get their plans in place for this to happen."
Based on a conference call held last week with state leaders, Taylor said he anticipates receiving revised vaccination plans for vulnerable county residents at various-sized clinics.
"It won't be all in one place," Taylor said. "It will be spread out."
His office already plans for use of the Van Zandt VA Medical Center to vaccinate county residents in the state's 1b group which includes police officers, firefighters, teachers and others deemed at higher risk of contracting or contributing to the COVID-19 spread.
"We have a 1b plan in the works right now," Taylor said, referencing an eligibility list with contact information.
His office is also coordinating plans for a mass vaccination clinic to be held in the future at the Blair County Convention Center.
In the meantime, the biggest factor in how fast Blair County residents get vaccinated seems to rest with the amount of vaccine that's available.
"There is still not any large quantity coming into our county," Taylor said. "But what is coming in is being used very effectively."
On Tuesday afternoon, a few hours after Taylor spoke about local efforts, the state Department of Health updated its website with COVID-19 vaccination information, including locations where shots will be available for those in the most vulnerable group.
But in response to the state's update, people reported unsuccessful efforts in trying to contact and schedule appointments at those locations.
The COVID-19 vaccination process in Blair County started earlier this month after local hospitals received vaccine shipments to inoculate their staff and non-hospital-affiliated health care personnel.
Subsequently, pharmacy personnel started vaccinating residents in long-term nursing facilities, and Taylor said that's been progressing.
"Many have completed their first round (of vaccinations), and some are on their second rounds. ... Others have received their clinic dates," he said.
Of Blair County's 121,800 residents, about 4,000 have received COVID-19 vaccinations as of Tuesday, Taylor said.
In the meantime, Taylor urged local residents to be patient.
"With a population of over 100,000, it's going to take some time, but we'll get there and everyone who needs a vaccination is going to get it," Taylor said.
Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.