Site last updated: Thursday, May 21, 2026

Log In

Reset Password
MENU
Butler County's great daily newspaper

Nursing, personal care facilities get vaccines Over 70% of residents, staff in partnership got 1st doses

Most residents and staff of nursing and personal care facilities have had at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and plans to provide the remaining vaccinations are in place, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

To date, more than 193,000 residents and staff of nursing facilities, personal care homes and assisted living facilities have received their first dose through the federal Pharmacy Partnership Program.

About 10,000 residents and staff of other long-term and congregate care facilities licensed by the Department of Human Services have received their first dose through a partnership with Rite Aid that was expanded to include residential drug and alcohol treatment providers licensed by the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.

Residents living in those facilities eligible for the federal program are receiving vaccines from CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens.

As of Feb. 19, all skilled nursing facilities have had their first doses, Over 70% of personal care homes and assisted living facilities covered through the partnership have received their first doses, and CVS and Walgreens expect to finish first rounds before the end of the month, the health department said.

CVS has administered 161,935 first doses and 86,567 second doses, and Walgreens has administered 31,358 first doses and 9,788 second doses.

In addition, the health department said, 326,850 doses were allocated last week through Feb. 20, including 183,575 first doses and 143,275 second doses.

To date, a total of 2,766,400 doses were allocated through Feb. 20 and 1,867,240 doses have been administered through Feb. 18. Of the first doses, 1,387,443 have been administered and 1,610,175 have been allocated. Of the second doses, 479,797 have been administered and 1,156,225 have been allocated.

Also Friday, Gov. Tom Wolf signed a fourth renewal of his 90-day Proclamation of Disaster Emergency for the pandemic. The first proclamation was signed March 6, 2020, following the announcement of the first two presumptive positive cases in the state.

“This renewal will allow the commonwealth to maintain its response and support efforts as we continue testing, contact tracing and vaccination efforts to keep Pennsylvanians safe,” Wolf said.

The declaration provides for increased support to state agencies involved in the response to the virus and recovery. This includes expediting supply procurement and lifting regulations to allow waivers and extensions for unemployment compensation and training, certification and licensing renewals.

The declaration also allows the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to order the National Guard to provide various types of support for long-term care facilities.

The health department reported 27 new cases and no new deaths in the county Friday.

Statewide, 2,778 new cases increased the total to 908,773 and 67 new deaths raised the total to 23,480.

More in Local News

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter

* indicates required
TODAY'S PHOTOS