During their virtual COVID-19 briefing on Wednesday, March 31st, the Montgomery County Commissioners provided an update on COVID-19 vaccine operations.
With increased supply of Johnson & Johnson vaccine expected, Montgomery County will be able to support the Commonwealth's special initiative to vaccinate targeted industry workers and to accelerate the vaccination timetable for those in Phases 1B, 1C and 2.
"I am very pleased and grateful to be able to tell you that Governor Wolf and his team announced earlier today that 42,000 combined doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be delivered weekly to the county health departments in the four Southeast Pennsylvania counties," said Dr. Valerie A. Arkoosh, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. "The delivery of Montgomery County's share of these doses will enable us to significantly accelerate the progression through our 1A list as well as more quickly vaccinate a number of essential frontline workers."
Montgomery County's three existing mass vaccination clinics remain on track with first and second dose clinics. The Montgomery County Office of Public Health (OPH) received all necessary second doses for this week, and its first dose clinics continue to administer the Pfizer vaccine. The County's weekly first dose vaccine supply remains level at 5,850 doses.
National Minority Health Month 2021: During the month of April, Montgomery County is supporting the National Minority Health Month campaign, focusing on the disproportionate impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on racial and ethnic minority and American Indian and Alaska Native communities, which underscore the need for these vulnerable communities to get vaccinated as more vaccines become available.
Montgomery County has worked diligently to both ensure that the numbers of its residents vaccinated are high, while at the same time ensuring that vaccine administration is equitable and that there are no barriers to obtaining vaccine. Officials continue to ask that anyone receiving vaccine consider self-identifying so the County can accurately capture race and ethnicity data.
COVID-19 Rent & Utility Relief: The COVID-19 Rent and Utility Relief Program, administered by Your Way Home, allows eligible households to receive up to 12 months of assistance for rent and utility bills dating back to March 13, 2020. Assistance can be for past due rent and/or utility payments or future rent payments. Funding for security deposits, first and/or last month of rent is also eligible as part of the program. There is no financial limit on the amount of assistance a household can receive.
MontcoStrong 2021 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program: Hospitality industry businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19 can apply for up to $50,000 in grant funding through the MontcoStrong 2021 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program. Montgomery County has received approximately $9.4 million in state funding to provide grants to eligible businesses. Applicants will be required to submit documentation of expenses incurred and paid during the eligible expense period. Applicants are encouraged to watch this video on the application process.