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HARRISBURG -- As of Wednesday, there have been approximately 1,067,180 doses of the vaccines given with about 216,361 who have received both doses as a part of phase 1A, according to Lindsey Mauldin, state Department of Health senior adviser.
There is currently no timeline as to when the general population will be able to be vaccinated but the state is "striving" for available vaccinations for late spring, early summer.
"The number is actually higher but there is a natural lag in reporting," she said.
She explained that with the federal and retail partnerships there is time between the vaccination given and reporting.
"We must have patience," Mauldin said.
The allocations for the state remain limited and are still only being allocated to 66 counties. Philadelphia is one of the countries that is receiving their own allocations.
The Biden Administration announced they will also be sending allocations directly to the retail partners like Top Co. and Rite Aid in addition to what the two pharmacies were already receiving, as well as having updates on allocations three weeks in advance.
Mauldin described that the state is working through an "ethical, equitable and efficient" process to distribute the vaccines to local healthcare providers, their federal partnerships with CVS Pharmacy as well as their retail partners.
She said that the state is going to continue to "collaborate more with community partners and health systems to think through the distribution plans."
"They are facing a limited supply," she said. "We are watching and waiting to see what is coming down from the Federal Government. "Local vaccine providers are vaccinating as quickly as they receive."
One reporter said Montgomery County has received a smaller allocation of vaccine than weeks prior and asked if it had anything to do with the snow storm. Mauldin said that there are always delays with weather, but that the state did not have any reports on why the allocations were smaller or what would happen for missing vaccine appointments.
There is also a limited access to information on the website as much of the information provided is only in English. Mauldin stated that the state is "working diligently" to keep the information and access to information as equitable as possible. She did not disclose a timeline as to when resources and the allocation map will be put in additional languages.
Dr. Riyaz Bashir, interventional cardiologist and professor of medicine at Temple University of Medicine, also explained his own story about the vaccine.
"The challenges are logistical but also go back to equity," she said. "The challenge is on us."
Bashir's wife and other family members contracted the virus during his wait between the first and second dose of the vaccine. Bashir ended up being the only family member to not get the virus at that time.
"I believe it was the vaccine that protected me," he said. "Not only is it safe but it is effective. It is very important to be patient in this process as it takes time. There soon will be (enough vaccines) and you will all get vaccinated. While we are waiting, it is critically important to take precautionary measures. Please take the steps to protect yourself and others."
To date: there are 3,128 additional positive COVID cases bringing the statewide number to 853,616.
Readers can find information and the vaccine allocation map at www.health.pa.gov or call at 1-877-PA-HEALTH.