Delaware Division of Public Health | January 26, 2021
With limited supply of vaccine from the federal government, the state is faced with very difficult decisions about the most effective use of the doses it has. The science shows that the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine provides 52% to 80% protection, so concentrating on first doses is critical to reducing hospitalizations and deaths. We also believe we need to get Phase 1A high-risk health care workers second doses as soon as possible – both because they have frequent contact with COVID patients and have less ability to social distance. Until we get adequate supply, this is the extremely difficult balance we will need to continue to strike.
While it is currently recommended that people receive a second dose as close to the recommended timeframe as possible (21 or 28 days), we are awaiting further federal guidance on if this window can be extended, and the manufacturers have not said that there is a date after that at which the vaccine series would need to be re-started.
It is important to understand that you do not have to get your second dose at the same place you got the first – you only need to make sure you are getting the same type of vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna). The Division of Public Health (DPH) is increasing options available to persons to receive second doses as supply allows. These include more pharmacies, Primary Care Providers or vaccination events operated by Vault Health or Curative. While some venues are pre-scheduling second dose appointments for customers, due to the unpredictability of future vaccine supply, you should be aware that any events or appointments may be cancelled on short notice. This information may change as additional supply, or more details, become available.
DPH also understands that the VAMS system is sending out automatic reminders to persons who have been vaccinated to log in and schedule their second dose. This is an automated message sent out from the system, operated by the CDC, and the State is unable to disable those messages. Events are currently added on a week-to-week basis, and there are currently no events scheduled several weeks ahead, in the timeframe during which people vaccinated recently would be able to register to receive their second dose.
For more on Delaware’s Vaccine Response, check out the website https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/vaccine/where-can-i-get-my-vaccine/