COVID-19 Vaccination Program Will Open to Delawareans 16+ on April 6
Waitlist will open to all Delawareans aged 16 and older; Delawareans 16+ eligible for vaccine at pharmacies, mass vaccination events, and community sites
WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney and the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) announced Tuesday that on April 6, all Delawareans aged 16 or older will become eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at pharmacies, community vaccination sites, and mass vaccination events hosted by the State of Delaware.
- Beginning at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 6, Delawareans who are 16+ may register on the State of Delaware’s COVID-19 vaccination waiting list at vaccinerequest.delaware.gov. Invitations to state vaccination events will be contingent on supply and prioritized based on age and other risk factors, including pre-existing medical conditions.
- Pharmacies may also begin vaccinating Delawareans who are 16+ on Tuesday, April 6.
- Medical providers – including primary care doctors, specialty providers, and hospital systems – will continue to vaccinate only Delawareans aged 16-64 with moderate- and high-risk medical conditions and disabilities. Click here to view a list of updated medical conditions.
Tuesday’s announcement makes all adults in Delaware eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine weeks ahead of President Biden’s target date of May 1. Access to appointments will be contingent on supply of the COVID-19 vaccines.
As of Monday, March 29, Delaware providers had administered 439,391 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. More than 30 percent of Delaware’s population has received at least one shot.
“Today’s announcement means that more Delawareans who want to be vaccinated will have the chance to find a shot,” said Governor Carney. “All three of these vaccines are extremely safe, and extremely effective against serious illness, hospitalization, and death. I’d urge all Delawareans to take the first shot you’re offered. That’s how we’ll beat this virus, and get back to spending more time with friends and family.”
Visit de.gov/covidvaccine for information on Delaware’s COVID-19 vaccination program.
Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Visit de.gov/coronavirus to get the latest on Delaware’s response to COVID-19.
Visit de.gov/gettested to learn more about free COVID-19 testing.
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Governor Carney Signs Eighth Revision to Omnibus COVID-19 Order
Outdoor gatherings limited to 150 people, or higher with a DPH-approved plan
WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Monday signed the eighth revision to the COVID-19 emergency order, increasing outdoor gathering limits and easing capacity restrictions in outdoor venues effective at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 1.
The eighth revision includes the following:
- Outdoor gatherings in spaces with no fire occupancy restrictions are limited to 150 people, or higher with a plan approved by the Division of Public Health (DPH). This includes, but is not limited to, outdoor weddings, funerals, concerts, parades, festivals, conventions, fundraisers, sporting events and fairs. Gathering restrictions apply in outdoor spaces that do not have a stated fire capacity.
- Outdoor venues with fire occupancy restrictions and with more than 100,000 square feet of public space must limit occupancy to 50 percent of stated fire capacity. Any outdoor venue hosting more than 150 people must still have a plan approved by DPH to mitigate spread of COVID-19.
- Outdoor venues with fire occupancy restrictions and with less than 100,000 square feet of public space must limit occupancy to 75 percent of stated fire capacity. Any outdoor venue hosting more than 150 people must still have a plan approved by DPH to mitigate spread of COVID-19.
- Governor Carney’s revision on Monday also removes the two-spectator limit for sporting events. And the revision allows the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) to issue an additional 1,000 surf fishing vehicle tags for the 2021 season.
- Indoor gatherings or events at any business or indoor space open to the public remain limited to the lesser of fifty percent of stated fire occupancy or twenty-five people.
- Food and drink establishments remain at fifty percent of stated fire occupancy requirements, excluding employees.
Plans for outdoor events and gatherings should be submitted to DPH by emailing HSPContact@delaware.gov at least seven days prior to the event.
Click here to read Governor Carney’s eighth revision.
Click here to read the Omnibus COVID-19 Emergency Order.
“We know that gathering outdoors poses a lower risk of COVID-19 infection and transmission,” said Governor Carney. “That’s why we’re comfortable easing certain outdoor restrictions as we head into Spring. But until we can get enough Delawareans fully vaccinated, keep following the basic, common-sense public health precautions. Wear a mask when you’re around others. Avoid large gatherings when possible. Get the COVID-19 vaccine when your number is called. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Stay vigilant.”
Hosts of outdoor gatherings and events must provide materials and equipment necessary for proper hand hygiene and require attendees to follow masking and social distancing requirements – including having a mechanism for limiting attendance.
As of Sunday, March 28, Delaware providers had administered 433,516 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Visit de.gov/covidvaccine for information on Delaware’s COVID-19 vaccination program.
Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Visit de.gov/coronavirus to get the latest on Delaware’s response to COVID-19.
Visit de.gov/gettested to learn more about free COVID-19 testing.
Voter & 2021 Municipal Election Information
Please find the 2021 Election information here.
If you are a new resident/property owner of Fenwick Island, please find the Voter Registration Form here.
If you have any questions, please email townclerk@fenwickisland.org or call (302) 539-3011 ext. 204.
Governor Carney Announces Updates to COVID-19 Vaccination Program
Pharmacies can begin 50+ vaccinations Wednesday; providers can vaccinate patients 16+ with high- and moderate-risk medical conditions
WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney and the Delaware Division on Public Health (DPH) on Tuesday announced an expansion of Delaware’s COVID-19 vaccination program.
- On Wednesday, pharmacies in Delaware may begin vaccinating Delawareans aged 50+.
- Also on Wednesday, health care providers, including hospitals, may vaccinate patients 16+ with high and moderate-risk medical conditions. Providers who are NOT vaccinating may refer patients to hospital systems. Delawareans should contact their medical provider about vaccination opportunities. DPH has also encouraged providers to contact their highest risk patients directly to schedule vaccination appointments. Non-paid caregivers of Delawareans with high- and moderate-risk medical conditions may also qualify for vaccination through medical providers.
- On Tuesday, March 23, the State of Delaware will open its COVID-19 vaccination waiting list at vaccinerequest.delaware.gov to any Delawarean, 50+.
Visit de.gov/covidvaccine for a list of high- and moderate-risk medical conditions, participating vaccination providers, and additional information on Delaware’s COVID-19 vaccination program.
As of Monday, March 15, Delaware vaccination providers had administered 319,587 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Twenty percent of Delaware’s population has received at least one dose of the vaccine. Governor Carney’s announcement on Tuesday is in line with President Biden’s directive to make all adults eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine by May 1.
“This is an important step forward in our vaccination program that will make thousands of high-risk Delaware adults eligible for this life-saving COVID-19 vaccine,” said Governor Carney. “Our goal remains the same. We want to distribute this vaccine in a way that’s fast and fair. Until we can get enough Delawareans vaccinated, let’s all do our part. Wear a mask. Avoid large gatherings. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Stay vigilant.”
“Our vaccine supply has significantly increased, and as the number of seniors who are requesting vaccination appointments continues to drop, we are in a position to make them available to more Delawareans,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “So we are making a strong push through the end of March to vaccinate the remaining seniors 65+ and frontline essential workers who want a vaccine, and are excited to be able to begin reaching other vulnerable Delawareans.”
Over the next several weeks, the State of Delaware will continue to focus on vaccinating 65+ Delawareans who are registered on the state’s waiting list. Any Delawarean who is 65+ and not currently registered on the state’s vaccination waiting list should register at vaccinerequest.delaware.gov for an opportunity to be vaccinated. Invitations for state-coordinated vaccination are now being sent to all persons remaining on the waiting list.
According to the State of Delaware’s new vaccination guidance, Delaware health care providers, including hospitals, should use their clinical judgement to vaccinate individuals 16-64 with underlying health conditions. The list of qualifying conditions provided by the State is not an all-inclusive of eligible conditions.
The State of Delaware also will continue to partner with employers to vaccinate front-line, 1B-eligible workers, and begin moving into vaccinations for other essential workers. Employers who have not contacted the Division of Public Health (DPH) should email vaccineplanning@delaware.gov to begin developing vaccination plans for their employees.
Learn more about Delaware’s COVID-19 vaccination program at de.gov/covidvaccine.
Find testing events and locations at de.gov/gettested.
Download COVID Alert DE in the App Store or Google Play.
Anyone with a general question about COVID-19 should call Delaware 2-1-1. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211, or email delaware211@uwde.org. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Medically related questions regarding testing, symptoms, and health-related guidance can be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.
Visit de.gov/coronavirus for the latest information on Delaware’s COVID-19 response.
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3/4 Vaccine Talking Points
There are now three vaccines on the market. Which vaccine is better?
- All three vaccines are equally important in preventing illness and death.
- They all are 100% effective in preventing death and hospitalization.
- We don’t see any vaccine inferior to the other.
- When it is your turn, please get vaccinated where available, regardless of vaccine type.
- To view a comparison, visit de.gov/covidvaccine
Given Delaware’s size, it’s likely we will have vaccinated those who wish to be vaccinated before our border states will finish their population? Is there a plan to offer vaccines across state lines at that time?
- No. Despite our small size, our allocation is comparable to other states.
- Delaware has vaccinated over 10% of our population so far.
With the reduction in community spread and increases in vaccination, is the state developing a sense for when visitation can resume at senior centers and other long-term healthcare facilities?
- Visitation is now allowed in all three counties.
If I am offered a J&J vaccine, but would rather have another type of vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer), how do I get what I prefer? What do I do with my invitation?
- We recommend that people take the first vaccine available to them.
- There is no penalty to decline.
- If you don’t take advantage of your first invitation, you will get another opportunity in the future.
How will I know when it’s my turn for a vaccine? How do I find out where I can go?
- We are currently in Phase 1b of vaccinations.
- DPH and the Governor’s Office will announce when we are in a new phase of vaccination.
- We will share the news on social media, with the media, with community leaders and grassroots organizations to help spread the word.
- Follow the Division of Public Health on social media for the latest information.
- If you are over the age of 65, you can go to de.gov/getmyvaccine or call 1-833-643-1715 to find information on vaccination opportunities.
- You can find more information about the vaccine at de.gov/covidvaccine
