Clinton County lags in COVID-19 vaccinations

LOCK HAVEN, PA – Clinton County, like much of rural America, lags behind larger counties in getting its citizenry vaccinated against COVID-19.

That was the lament from the county commissioners at their Thursday night meeting. All three expressed frustration with access to the vaccine locally. Jeff Snyder reiterated, “The problem is supply.” Board chairman Miles Kessinger said the problem is “like we don’t exist.” Angela Harding said the local COVID community coalition has been in touch with the office of state Rep. Stephanie Borowicz (R – Clinton/Centre) and learned the representative has a meeting with officials in Harrisburg on Monday to work towards more vaccinations in the county. Harding said access to the vaccine is a challenge in rural America and “we’re doing everything we can.”

According to information shared at the commissioners’ meeting, so far Clinton County residents have received 1,600 partial (first shot) inoculations and 248 full (both shots) inoculations. Those numbers lag well behind neighboring (and larger) Centre and Lycoming counties.

In board action, the commissioners okayed an inmate housing agreement at the Clinton County Correctional Facility to house prisoners from Huntingdon County at a rate of $70 a day. Kessinger said a similar arrangement was approved recently with Sullivan County.