Butler Health System will expand vaccinations, according to an announcement Thursday.

The system's vaccination plans have been updated on its website, and the addition includes expanding to allow those age 65 and older to schedule their appointments for vaccination.

“Scheduling is now open until vaccine doses are gone,” said BHS spokeswoman Jana Panther. “It goes quickly.”

In recent weeks, BHS at both its Butler Memorial and Clarion hospitals has continued vaccinating health care professionals and people age 75 and older. Those plans were more restrictive than Phase 1A guidance in the state's vaccine distribution plans, which have included people age 65 and older for weeks.

When making the shift from the state's plan, the hospital cited concerns about supply and its intent to focus on vaccinating the people at highest risk first while supplies remain limited.

While vaccine distribution has ramped up across the country, state officials have continually said the supply has not reached an adequate level to meet the demand.

Panther said supplies will continue to determine how long scheduling will remain open.

“It depends on what we receive from the state,” Panther said. “Our goal remains to get the vaccine into the arms of our community.”

Anyone age 65 or older who needs help scheduling a vaccine appointment can contact the Butler County Agency on Aging at 724-282-3008.

According to Thursday's report by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, two more Butler County residents have died from COVID-19, and there were 43 new confirmed cases attributed to the county's total.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 8,418 county residents have tested positive for COVID-19, and 337 have died from the virus.