Now that COVID-19 vaccines have arrived, Delaware County will be opening a wellness center in Yeadon, hopefully by Jan. 15, for testing and vaccine distribution, writes Kenny Cooper for WHYY.org.

County Council OK’d a five-year lease for a former supermarket in the Yeadon Shopping Center.

In January 2022, it will be the hub for Delaware County’s new public health department, with likely satellite offices in Upper Darby and Chester.

 “We wanted to make sure that we were on the eastern side of the county, to target our largest population areas but also our areas that are of the most in need, and we also wanted to make sure that our location had several options for access to public transportation,” said Dr. Monica Taylor, vice chair of the Delaware County Council. 

Delaware County is the largest county in the U.S. without its own health department.

The council will form a board of health in April, hire a health director, prepare a budget and develop programs.

The county wants a “modern” health department, focusing on communicable disease control, chronic disease and injury prevention, environmental public health, maternal, child and family health and access to clinical care.

 Read more about the health department plans at WHYY.org.