The city has expanded COVID vaccine eligibility to all adults (age 16 and older) today, which is three days earlier than the previously announced date (April 19). Public Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley made the announcement this afternoon and the new eligibility is effective immediately.

Multiple vaccination sites around the city have reported appointment vacancies, according to Farley. People over the age of 65 are still strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as one of the most vulnerable groups. Continue Reading

Philadelphia has extended its agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to continue the operation of the mass COVID vaccine clinic at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (1101 Arch St.) until May 25. The clinic has again begun administering first doses of the Pfizer vaccine this week after completing the administration of second doses over the past three weeks to those who received their first doses last month.

On Wednesday, the FEMA-run Center City clinic began accepting walk-ups.

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Many small local businesses have been hit very hard by the pandemic, but they’re holding on and some even have some exciting news to share with the community:

Lil Pop Shop Partners with Weckerly’s Ice Cream

From left to right: Weckerly’s owners Andy Satinsky and Jen Weckerle, and Lil Pop Shop owner Jeanne Chang (Photo by Megan Kelly).

West Philly’s Lil Pop Shop and Fishtown’s Weckerly’s Ice Cream, have recently announced a new partnership. Starting this Friday, April 16, Lil Pop Shop customers will be able to enjoy a variety of scoops and other ice cream treats from Weckerly’s. Over in Fishtown, Weckerly’s flagship shop (9 W. Girard Ave.) will offer a selection of Lil Pop Shop’s small-batch fruit and cream based-pops. Continue Reading

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has paused distribution of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine following the recommendations by the CDC and US Food and Drug Administration after reports of rare blood clotting disorder in six recipients of the shot.

Starting today, the FEMA-run Center City vaccination clinic has again started administering first doses of the Pfizer vaccine instead of the previously planned J & J vaccinations. This clinic will continue with the Pfizer vaccine for the foreseeable future and will maintain the current 6,000 appointments and walk-ups per day, according to an announcement by the Health Department. UPDATE: The site will continue operating until May 26. Continue Reading

The University of the Sciences (USciences), one of the city’s neighborhood mass COVID vaccination sites, will hold two walk-up vaccine clinics this month – on April 13 and April 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The clinics will be held at USciences’ Athletic/Recreation Center (ARC), 730 S. 43rd St.

All city-run mass vaccine clinics are open to Philadelphia residents only. Residents who meet the Philadelphia Phase 1a, 1b and 1c criteria are currently eligible to get vaccinated. UPDATE: Philadelphia opened COVID vaccine eligibility to all adults (aged a6 and older) on April 16.

When going to a city-run vaccine clinic please make sure to bring your ID or a piece of mail or utility bill that has your address and name on it. Continue Reading

The School District of Philadelphia has announced Phase III, the final phase of the Hybrid Learning Plan for the 2020-2021 school year, which provides an opportunity for in-person learning to students in grades six to nine and students with complex needs in grades 10-12. All other students in grades 10-12 will remain in 100 percent digital learning for the remainder of the school year.

Between Tuesday, April 20 and Tuesday, April 27, families of students in these groups can choose to participate in the hybrid model – two days of in-person learning and three days of digital learning – beginning the week of May 10. Phase III families will receive an email with instruction on how to sign up. Continue Reading