The Delaware County Weekly
Bringing Delco news and information directly to our residents!
—— October 14, 2022 (38th edition) ——
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New Novavax COVID-19 Primary Series Vaccine Now Available through the Delaware County Health Department | |
The Delaware County Health Department (DCHD) is now offering Novavax, a two-dose primary vaccination series, in the defense against the COVID-19 virus. The Novavax vaccine is the fourth COVID-19 vaccine authorized in the United States and another tool in our expanding toolbox to fight the deadly virus.
On July 13, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) passed an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine. The technology used in the vaccine has long been used in other vaccines to prevent diseases including shingles, human papillomavirus, and DTAP.
The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is a 2-dose series for primary vaccination. This means it is only for people who have never had a COVID-19 vaccine of any kind.
The vaccine contains the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and Matrix-M adjuvant. Adjuvants are ingredients incorporated into some vaccines to enhance the immune response of the vaccinated individual. The spike protein in the Novavax vaccine is produced in insect cells; the Matrix M-adjuvant contains saponin extracts from the bark of the Soapbark tree that is native to Chile.
Novavax is a great option for anyone who has felt reluctant to be vaccinated using the mRNA technology used in the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. While mRNA technology has proven to be a safe and effective vaccine method, the technology used in the Novavax vaccine is a more traditional and protein-based vaccine.
Novavax is approved for use by individuals 12 years of age and older. Adolescents must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver to receive the vaccine. All vaccinations are free of charge.
Delaware County residents interested in receiving Novavax through the Delaware County Health Department are encouraged to schedule an appointment at the Wellness Centers at Yeadon and Chester. Walk-ins are welcome at both locations, but appointments are preferred.
To schedule an appointment, visit delcopa.gov/covid-appt.
The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, as well as the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, are also available at select pharmacies in Delaware County and throughout the region.
For the most up-to-date appointment availability, visit the Federal Vaccines website at www.vaccines.gov.
Please note the following CDC information regarding COVID-19 vaccines:
- None of the vaccines available for COVID-19 can give you the virus
- Vaccines DO NOT interfere with your DNA as it does not enter the nucleus of the cell
- Side effects from vaccines are often normal signs that the vaccine is working
For additional information, please contact the Delaware County Health Department Wellness Line, available Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., by phone at (484) 276 – 2100 or by email at DelcoWellness@co.delaware.pa.us.
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Delaware County Elections Issues Updated Vote-by-Mail Ballot Guidance
Voters Reminded to Properly Complete their Vote-by-Mail Ballot
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The Delaware County Bureau of Elections has now completed the mailing of more than 50,000 vote-by-mail ballots (including both mail-in ballots and absentee ballots). The deadline to apply for a Vote-by-Mail ballot is Nov. 1, 2022.
Delaware County Elections reminds voters to properly mark, seal, and return the vote-by-mail ballot to ensure that the ballot can be counted. Voters must:
- Place the marked ballot in the white ‘Secrecy Envelope’ provided with their ballot (this envelope, per State Law, is marked “Official Ballot Envelope”).
- Seal the Secrecy Envelope.
- Place the sealed Secrecy Envelope into the Ballot Return Envelope.
- Seal the Ballot Return Envelope.
- Sign the declaration (on the back of the Ballot Return Envelope).
- Enter the date where indicated (on the back of the Ballot Return Envelope).
- Return the sealed Ballot Return Envelope.
Ballot Return Envelopes can now be returned to the drop box located in the lobby of the Delaware County Government Building in Media (accessible via Orange Street) or—beginning Mon., Oct. 24—at any of the more than three dozen drop box sites located throughout the County. Most sites will be open 24/7. The complete list of sites, including hours of operation, are available at delcopa.gov/dropbox.
Please note: The decision to open ballot drop boxes on Oct. 24 is due to staffing constraints. Voters will have two full weeks to return their ballot at any County drop box of their choice; this two-week period aligns with when the County has observed a steep increase in the use of drop boxes during recent elections and represents the best allocation of resources under the circumstances.
Voters can also return their completed ballots, properly sealed in the Secrecy and Ballot Return Envelopes, through the US Postal Service (no postage needed). If using the US Postal Service, voters are encouraged to use the drop-offs inside the lobby of a local post office.
Voters may verify the status of their ballot on the PA Department of State website at vote.pa.gov/MailBallotStatus.
Voters must return only their own ballot. The only exception is to assist a disabled voter or an emergency absentee voter, which requires a declaration form signed by the voter and by the person returning the ballot. This form is available on the Delco Votes! website at delcopa.gov/dropbox.
If a voter needs help or information on paperwork for assisting a disabled voter—or if a mistake is made in completing and sealing the ballot—voters may call the Delaware County Election Hotline at (610) 891-VOTE (8683). Voters may also visit the Delaware County Voter Service Center in Media to receive a replacement ballot and envelopes.
Delaware County residents can visit the Delco Votes! website at delcopa.gov/vote for additional election news, sample ballots and information on registering to vote for the first time or filing a name or address change.
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Delaware County Recognizes the Anniversary of the United States Navy | |
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Delaware County Councilman Kevin Madden, the County’s Interim Director of Military and Veterans Affairs Sandra Garrison, Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, State Representative Leanne Kreuger, and Veterans Chaplain Justin Cohen were honored to join U.S. Navy Veterans Bill Murray and Rob Yannuzzi in raising the U.S. Navy flag on October 13 outside of the Delaware County Courthouse in Media.
The flag raising was held in honor of the founding of the Navy on October 13, 1775.
The U.S. Navy flag will fly from the flagpole in the courtyard of the Government Center and Courthouse complex for a week.
Throughout the year, the County raises flags in honor of all branches of the military and invites active military and Veterans to join in the flag raisings. The last military flag will be raised later this year in observance of the Marine Corps, on Nov. 10, 1775. The Army flag was raised in June, the Coast Guard flag was raised in August, and the Air Force Flag was raised in September to commemorate the anniversaries.
Council expresses deep gratitude to those who have served or are serving in the military protecting and defending our country.
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Recognizing October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month | |
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Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor and District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer were honored to participate in a Domestic Violence Survivor Celebration and Rally on October 13 in the Government Center in Media. The celebration and rally, hosted by the Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County, was held to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Since 1981, October has been recognized as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, with the goal of educating communities, individuals, and families about advocacy services and community resources that can help prevent and raise awareness of domestic violence.
During the Survivor Celebration and Rally, domestic abuse survivors shared their emotional and powerful journeys and urged people who may be experiencing abuse of any kind- physical, sexual, or emotional- to speak up, seek help, and empower themselves.
Sadly, one in four women, and one in seven men in the United States have suffered severe physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner. The devastating consequences of domestic violence can cross generations. 1 in 15 children are exposed to domestic violence each year, and 90% of these children are eyewitnesses to the violence. Homicides in Delaware County have been directly related to domestic violence.
Delaware County Council continues to work to prevent domestic abuse and assist survivors of abuse through the Delaware County District Attorney’s office and Delaware County’s Department of Human Services. Delaware County’s Department of Human Services contracts with the Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County, who works to prevent domestic violence and empower those who are impacted to heal from trauma and find a path towards resiliency.
Dr. Taylor presented the Domestic Abuse Project (DAP) with a resolution proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Delaware County and commended DAP Executive Director Julie Avalos.
Empowering survivors of domestic abuse and domestic violence prevention are core to DAP’s mission and accomplishments. Annually, thousands of survivors of abuse and their children are supported through a 24/7 hotline, emergency safe shelter, counseling, and legal advocacy. County Council recognizes these vital services and commends the DAP staff for their dedication and compassion towards domestic abuse survivors.
Information and resources offered by DAP can be found on the DAP website, linked below.
Council recently worked with District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer to form a Task Force dedicated to the prevention of domestic abuse and assisting survivors. The Task Force’s mission will be to increase coordination and resources among key stakeholders who share a common interest in serving survivors of domestic violence in Delaware County. More information on the Task Force will be shared later this year.
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Delaware County Announces America250 Committee | |
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Delaware County is joining with communities across the nation to celebrate America's 250th Anniversary on July 4, 2026 and is encouraging all County residents to sign up to be a part of the planning process for this historic celebration.
The County has formed a new committee to lead the planning process, which will include events from now through the country's July 4, 2026, semi-quincentennial and running until the end of that year. Delco's effort is part of the national plan to celebrate the country's major milestone birthday and follows last summer's approval of a Resolution supporting the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States semi-quincentennial (America250PA) by County Council.
Pennsylvania, as the location where the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, and our Constitution was approved, plays a central role in the upcoming celebration. And Delaware County has a special role in celebrating the country's founding. In addition to being the site of critical battles in the Revolutionary War, Delco is where William Penn first landed in Pennsylvania in 1682 and is widely celebrated as “Where Pennsylvania Began.”
The new planning committee will work with national, state, and local leaders and volunteers to plan a celebration worthy of our great country. The committee will work to promote Delaware County and its history to its residents and to all of the visitors who will be coming to the area in the coming years. It will engage Delaware County residents by providing and supporting experiences that ignite imaginations, elevate diverse stories, inspire service, and highlight the founding of America and 250 years of American history through Delco’s unique lens.
All Delaware County residents, business owners, and workers are encouraged to help celebrate America's 250th birthday by becoming involved with the planning process and/or attending some of the exciting events being planned. Delaware County's America250 Committee will meet every month, and sub-committees meet monthly or as needed. All levels of involvement are welcome.
To find out more, visit the America 250 PA Delco website.
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Team Delco Participates in Annual Delaware County Run for Heroes | |
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Delaware County Vice Chair Elaine Paul Schaefer was honored to join District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer, Sheriff Jerry Sanders, and many others from the County team for the 21st Annual Delco Run for Heroes 5K walk/run on October 9 in Springfield.
The 5K walk/run is the largest fundraiser for the Delaware County Hero Scholarship Fund, which was established in 1977 by County Council to provide education scholarships for the children of police, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel who were killed in the line of duty.
Since the run was founded in 2000, over $683,000 has been raised.
Council commends the members of the Run for Heroes Committee and organizers and the hundreds of people who participated, cheered on the runners, or sponsored the run.
You can learn more about the Delaware County Hero Scholarship Fund on the Delco Run for Heroes website.
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Reminder: Delaware County Health Department Holding Free Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinics on Sun., Oct. 16 and Wed., Oct 19
Convenient Flu Shots Available in Yeadon and Broomall
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Delaware County Council and the Delaware County Health Department are holding two free public flu shot clinics in October. Flu shots will be available to all residents of Delaware County, 3 years of age and up. No insurance is required, and no appointments are necessary.
The drive-thru clinics provide a safe and convenient process for residents to get vaccinated for the upcoming flu season. The drive-through format is especially safe and more convenient for older residents, those with disabilities, parents with small children, and those who may be immunocompromised and continue to exercise an abundance of caution.
All residents are urged to get a flu shot. The intensity and severity of flu seasons are difficult to predict, and the effectiveness of the flu vaccine is dependent on many variables. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found immunization reduces the risk of flu illness by 40-60 percent during seasons when most circulating flu viruses are well-matched to the flu vaccine.
Receiving a flu shot is the first and most important step in preventing the flu and decreasing the risk of severe flu-related illnesses. Each year, 200,000 people in the United States are hospitalized due to complications from the flu.
Flu Shot Clinic Dates and Locations
Delaware County Wellness Center
Sunday, October 16, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Delaware County Wellness Center in Yeadon
125 Chester Avenue, Yeadon, PA
Please enter the parking lot via the Chester Avenue entrance for the flu clinic.
Broomall Fire Company
Wednesday, October 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
1 N. Malin Road, Broomall, PA
Please enter via the N. Malin Road entrance for the flu clinic.
Note: Only the Fluzone Quadrivalent Influenza vaccine will be used; high dose vaccines for residents 65 years of age and older will not be available.
Residents are asked to wear short sleeves to ensure that flu shots can be administered easily. In the event of inclement weather, please be aware that the flu clinic may be canceled.
For more information or questions regarding the clinics please contact the Delaware County Health Department Wellness Line, available Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., by phone at (484) 276 – 2100 or by email at DelcoWellness@co.delaware.pa.us. Residents who are homebound but interested in flu vaccination are also encouraged to call the Delaware County Wellness Line.
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Attention Delaware County Businesses! Delaware County Relaunching an Enhanced Veterans’ Discount Program | |
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Delaware County is relaunching an enhanced Veterans’ Discount Program. The County will be providing Veterans with Photo ID cards that can be presented to participating businesses throughout the county to receive a discount in appreciation for the Veterans’ service to our country. Discounts may be a percentage of the sale, a specific dollar amount, or both.
If your business is interested in participating, please take the Delaware County Veterans Discount Program Survey, linked via the button below, and submit your business's information.
More information for Veterans will be released later this fall.
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