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Commissioners’ Program On COVID-19 Vaccine: Where We’re At & What’s To Come

Apr 13, 2021

The Berks County Commissioners will host a Media and Public Update program on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 3:30 PM on Microsoft Teams Live Event. Click here to find the link to this meeting. This Press Event will also be streamed Live to the Berks County Facebook page and BCTV. This week’s program will provide an update on the COVID-19 vaccine from local medical experts and distribution efforts as eligibility opens for all
adults in Pennsylvania. The Commissioners will be joined by several doctors who will speak about the safety and efficacy of the three types of vaccines and two local pharmacists who have been holding various community vaccination clinics throughout the last several months.

Welcome – Commissioner Christian Leinbach
Comments – Commissioner Kevin Barnhardt
Comments – Commissioner Michael Rivera
Introduction of the Panel – Commissioner Leinbach

  1. Berks County Vaccine Statistics: How many Berks residents have been vaccinated so far, what does the vaccine supply for Berks look like, etc.
    Brian Gottschall – Director of Emergency Services
  2. Local Vaccination Efforts: Eligibility is now open to all Pennsylvania residents. How can Berks County residents learn about and sign up for vaccine appointments? Beyond the main healthcare providers, what types of efforts are being done locally to help vaccinate the community?
    Ed Hudon – Owner of The Medicine Shoppe – Boyertown
    Kola Salako – Co-owner of Oakside Care Pharmacy, Reading
  3. Update on Berks Cares Vaccine Center and Call Center – Commissioner Barnhardt
  4. COVID-19 Vaccine Education, Safety and Efficacy: A discussion with local medical experts about the latest information about the three vaccines that have been approved, what people can expect when they get their vaccine and what type of safety measures still need to be taken even after getting vaccinated
    Dr. Debra Powell – Section Chief for Infectious Diseases and Medical Director for Infection Prevention at Tower Health/Reading Hospital. Dr. Powell has been a frequent spokesperson for Tower on issues related to COVID-19 in the media and during town halls and other events.
    Dr. Mary Kelleher – Chief Medical Officer, Berks Community Health Center
  5. Questions and Answers – Facilitated by Commissioner Leinbach

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