State Health Secretary Says Masks May Be Needed through 2021; Vaccine in the Offing

HARRISBURG, PA – State Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said Thursday an initial COVID-19 vaccine may be available in the state in December, followed by a second in January. Meanwhile, she said, state residents could be wearing masks well into the new year.

At her news conference, Levine said initially the vaccine will be for health care workers, the elderly, first-responders and residents of group health care facilities.

She said state plans call for distribution in three phases; phase two for high risk residents not covered in phase one; and the third for the general public.

“We anticipate we’re going to be rolling this out through the winter and then into the spring and into the summer. It could take a significant amount of time to immunize everyone in Pennsylvania. I anticipate we’re going to be wearing masks well into 2021, maybe to the end,” she said.

Her comments came as the state set a new record high for cases and deaths in one day, and with COVID-19 hospitalizations approaching 3,000: “We are in for a very challenging time, which is why we are talking about containment and mitigation and emphasizing how things are.”

While the state will be recommending the vaccination for most of the public, it will not be mandatory. The state has a federally-approved plan for distribution of the vaccine once received. Levine had no specific dates on distribution at her press briefing, but expressed confidence with word on two vaccines announced so far, from Pfizer and Moderna.