State officials are expecting a “ramp up” of vaccine distribution at the federal level as the state continues in Phase 1A of its distribution plans.

In a news conference Monday, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine affirmed the state is still in Phase 1A of vaccine distribution, despite last week's announcement it would start planning for Phase 1B.

“We're not there yet, and those discussions are happening right now,” Levine said.

Phase 1A involves the state distributing vaccine doses to health care systems for the vaccination of its front-line workers.

Phase 1A also simultaneously includes the vaccination of seniors living in long-term care facilities, which is being conducted by the federal government through its partnership with its partner pharmacies, CVS and Walgreens.

As of Sunday, 135,044 Pennsylvanians have been vaccinated for COVID-19, according to data released by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

This week, Pennsylvania is expected to receive 166,725 doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

“97,500 of those doses are for the second dose (for) health care personnel who received their first dose three weeks ago,” Levine said.

Another 30,225 of this week's allotment is being set aside for further first doses of health care workers, and 39,000 are being set aside for the federal pharmacy partnership program.

“Nationally, we expect the vaccination efforts to move into high gear now into the new year,” Levine said.

The state is also anticipating about 80,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine this week.

Levine said the state will continue planning for Phase 1B, which will include front-line health care workers who are not associated with a health care system and seniors who do not live in communal living settings.

No details were immediately available Monday about how Phase 1B vaccination will be conducted, but some reference was made to mass testing sites similar to those being conducted in other states.

“We are working on those plans right now,” Levine said. “I don't have specific details for you. I think one thing that we really need is the funding that has now been allocated in the recent bill signed by the president.”

In response to a media question, Levine also said she did not believe Pennsylvania was falling behind other states in regard to vaccinations, but rather it was proceeding at its own pace.

She said she also heard of some instances of health professionals refusing the vaccine for various reasons.

“These vaccines are safe and they're effective, and it will be critically important for people to sign up and to get these vaccines and get their second dose for these vaccines so we can stop the spread of COVID-19,” Levine said.