CORONAVIRUS IN DELAWARE

COVID-19 vaccinations are available to Delawareans 16 and older through any provider

Brandon Holveck
Delaware News Journal

Delawareans 16 and older can now get vaccinated through any provider, the state announced Tuesday.

Delaware expanded vaccinations to everyone 16 and older last week, but medical providers – including hospitals – were instructed to continue vaccinating only people with high-risk medical conditions and disabilities. Now, medical providers can vaccinate anyone regardless of medical condition.

The state held medical providers back to honor its commitment to giving priority to people at increased risk of severe disease.

Signs point to separate COVID-19 testing and COVID-19 vaccination events Thursday, April 1, 2021, at the Modern Maturity Center in Dover.

Delaware is also vaccinating essential workers through state partnerships at workplaces and state-run vaccination events. The state says employees should check with their employers for more information. Employers can contact the Division of Public Health at vaccineplanning@delaware.gov to discuss vaccination plans.

The state on Tuesday also announced it is pausing distribution of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after six recipients in the U.S. developed rare blood clots.

The state is continuing to distribute the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. There have been no significant safety concerns about either of those vaccines, which require two doses and use a different technology than the J&J vaccine. Only the Pfizer vaccine can be used for 16- and 17-year-olds.

Here are the options for signing up for a shot.

Hope Center resident Heather Logan receives her first COVID-19 vaccination during a vaccination event at the New Castle County facility, Wednesday, March 31, 2021. One aim of the event was to get as many of the eligible residents vaccinated as possible.

State waiting list

Delawareans 16 and older can request an appointment through the state at vaccinerequest.delaware.gov. After requesting an appointment, they will be added to the state's waiting list and eventually offered a slot at a state-run vaccination event.

The state has had mass vaccination events at Dover International Speedway, its Division of Motor Vehicles facilities and Delaware Technical Community College campuses across the state.

Delaware will continue prioritizing risk factors and age when offering appointments to those on its waiting list.

Pharmacies

Delawareans 16 and older can get vaccinated at pharmacies across the state. Appointments are required. Below are links to sign-up pages for the major pharmacies.

Gov. John Carney addresses the media after receiving his first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at Delaware's vaccination event at Dover International Speedway on Sun. March 28, 2021.

Medical providers

Medical providers – including primary care doctors, specialty providers and hospital systems – can now vaccinate any Delawarean 16 and older. Contact your medical provider to discuss your options. Not all providers are vaccinating patients.

Below are the interest forms and sign-up pages for the state's hospital systems.

Contact Brandon Holveck at bholveck@delawareonline.com. Follow him on Twitter @holveck_brandon.