Butler Health System has administered 1,500 to 1,600 COVID-19 vaccinations per day since vaccine distribution began three months ago, despite unpredictable shipments of vaccine.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has heard the concerns of BHS and other heath systems and hospitals across the state about difficulties in scheduling vaccination appointments without knowing how much vaccine they will receive, and is beginning to take action, said Matt Schnur, BHS pharmacy director.

The health department took action Friday by including the health system in a temporary “focused” group of 200 to 300 vaccine providers across the state that will receive more first doses of vaccine and will be assured of a steady supply for the next several weeks beginning March 22.

The process to select the focused providers took into account the ability to administer a high volume of first doses within seven days of delivery while maintaining equity across racial, ethnic and socioeconomic lines as well as the ability to capture and report vaccine administration data within 24 hours.

Read more in Sunday's Butler Eagle.