Philadelphia expands phase 1B qualifications for COVID-19 vaccine

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) – The Philadelphia health commissioner announced a minor expansion for COVID-19 vaccination group 1B at a news conference on Friday morning.

Dr. Thomas Farley said the high-risk category now includes people with intellectual disabilities and an extension of the definition of immunosuppression to those taking drugs to suppress the immune system “for whatever reason.”

Farley also said members of the clergy have now been added to Phase 1B.

“With the services restarted, members of the clergy are at high risk of contracting or passing on the COVID infection, particularly to older people,” Farley said.

As of Thursday, 402,000 first doses and 156,000 second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the city.

Farley said the supply of vaccination doses has leveled off. The city saw increases, but government officials were told they will not receive additional Pfizer or Moderna vaccines for the next three weeks.