Delaware County’s Vaccine Call Center is receiving more than 1,000 calls a day, with some stuck on hold for two hours, writes Kathleen E. Carey for the Daily Times.

“We are being besieged by calls at our call center,” Delaware County Executive Director Howard Lazarus said. Other counties are having similar issues.

Delaware County Council unanimously OK’d a $692,347.60 contract with Helpware Inc. for temps to man the Center starting March 1.

The contract will be covered through the county’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act allocation.

 Right now, 12 staff are handling calls.

The new contract adds 10 operators for 12 months.

“If we see a reduced volume of calls, we’ll be able to reduce the number of agents on staff,” said Delaware County’s Information Officer Frank Bilotta.

County Councilwoman Christine Reuther was irritated by state and federal confusion over the vaccine and doesn’t understand why the county has shortages when President Biden is reporting a 15 percent increase in Moderna dosages nationwide.

Delaware County’s COVID Vaccine Call Center is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The telephone number is 484-276-2100.

Read more about the Delaware County Vaccine Call Center at the Daily Times.