Schuylkill County Emergency Management Coordinator John Matz said he believes the county is “doing pretty well” in terms of residents getting vaccinated against COVID-19, but there is still room for improvement.

Matz said the frustration of not being able to schedule for a vaccination has diminished since the vaccine supply has improved and the requirements have opened.

“The vaccines are available, and it’s safe,” he said.

He said it is important that everyone takes the pandemic seriously.

“When we get enough people vaccinated, hopefully this will burn out,” he said.

To those who think the side effects of the vaccine are not worth the risk, Matz said they should think again.

“I think the benefits of getting the vaccine and preventing COVID far outweigh the minute possibility of getting a side effect,” he said.

The state Department of Health provided age breakdown data last week. It shows more than 60 percent of those 80 and older are fully vaccinated. The lowest age range to receive shots are in the 16- to 19-age category, accounting for 3.6% fully vaccinated.

“It’s a little too early to panic,” he said about that age group.

In the next two weeks, a better picture will emerge if they are getting vaccinated, Matz said.

Hospitals have plenty of the vaccine available, he said.

St. Luke’s Miners Campus in Coaldale, which offers the Moderna shot, will have walk-in hours 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Lehighton is offering walk-in times and dates of 2 to 6 p.m. May 10 and 11. Shot brand varies by date. Additional information will be posted online soon.

Mike Peckman, director of public affairs and marketing for LVH-Schuylkill, said Tuesday a COVID-19 vaccine clinic is available Monday through Saturday at the Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill, 700 E. Norwegian St.

Walk-in hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Monday, 7 a.m. to noon Tuesday, 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, 7 a.m. to noon Thursday and Friday and 8 to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Those wanting to schedule an appointment can visit myLVHN or call the COVID-19 vaccine hotline at 833-584-6283 from 8:30 to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Vaccinations rates in Schuylkill County, according to the Department of Health:

• Age 80 and over, 60.1% fully vaccinated and 16.7% first dose

• 70 to 79, 69.8 fully vaccinated and 26% first dose

• 60 to 69, 52% fully vaccinated, 27.5% first dose

• 50 to 60, 31.4 fully vaccinated, 17.4 first dose

• 40 to 49, 24.9% fully vaccinated, 12.7% first dose

• 30 to 39, 21% fully vaccinated, 10.1% first dose

• 20 to 29, 14.1% fully vaccinated, 9.9 % first dose

• 16 to 19, 3.6% fully vaccinated, 8.9 % first dose