PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) and Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management (OEM), in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) have opened the Center City Vaccination Center, located at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCC), on Wednesday, March 3, 2021.

The site has the capacity to vaccinate up to 6,000 Philadelphians per day and will prioritize eligible residents from Phases 1a and 1b that have signed up on the Philadelphia COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Form. The Pfizer vaccine being used at the Center City Vaccination Center comes from a federal allotment, which allows the Philadelphia Department of Public Health to continue standing up vaccination sites in communities using the City’s own allotment. The Center City Vaccination Center will operate seven days a week, from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., through April 30, 2021.

“I cannot overstate how appreciative we are of the federal government for selecting Philadelphia to host one of FEMA’s mass vaccination clinics,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “This impressive operation will go a long way in helping us deliver the vaccine to Philadelphians who need it. This is especially true for vulnerable populations and communities of color who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. The site’s ease of access and the volume of vaccinations will go a long way toward ensuring that lower income Philadelphians — particularly Black and brown residents — can be part of this opportunity. And, in turn, that will enhance our efforts toward ensuring equity in the vaccination process.”

Residents can sign up to receive notifications about potential impacts to or changes at the Center City Vaccination Center—including transit and weather incidents. Sign up to receive these updates via free Ready Philadelphia text alert by texting COVIDPHL to 888-777. 

How to Register for a Vaccine Appointment
Appointments for the Center City Vaccination Center are being set for Philadelphia residents who have completed the City of Philadelphia’s COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Form. Philadelphia residents interested in receiving a vaccine must sign up using the City’s Vaccine Interest Form, available at: phila.gov/vaccineinterest. The Vaccine Interest Form is available in five languages: English, Spanish, French, Chinese, and Vietnamese. If residents do not have internet access, have issues filling out the online form, or need the form in another language, they should call 3-1-1. Residents will be contacted once they are eligible and a vaccine is available. 

There are no walk-up appointments at the Center City Vaccination Center. Individuals who show up without a scheduled appointment, and those with an appointment who are ineligible, will be turned away and directed to the COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Form or 3-1-1. 

One caregiver or other support staff is allowed into the clinic with those who need them who are receiving the vaccine. 

Getting to the Center City Vaccination Center

There are many transportation options available to meet the needs of residents traveling to the Center City Vaccination Center. The Pennsylvania Convention Center is accessible using SEPTA public transit and Customized Community Transportation (CCT) services, rideshare, taxi, or personal vehicle. Parking facilities are available to accommodate personal vehicles and loading zones have been created for drop-offs and pick-ups at the entrance and exit. 

The entrance to the Center City Vaccination Center is at the northeast corner of 12th and Arch Streets. Individuals with appointments should use 100 N. 12th Street Philadelphia, PA 19107 as the GPS address. After being vaccinated, individuals will exit at the northwest corner of 11th and Arch Streets. 

SEPTA Public Transportation Options

The Pennsylvania Convention Center is a block away from SEPTA’s Jefferson Station which is serviced by eleven Regional Rail lines, the Market-Frankford line and bus routes: 17, 23, 33, 38, 44, 47, 47M, 48, 61, and 62. Individuals are highly encouraged to use public transit resources to get to and from their appointments at the Center City Vaccination Center. 

SEPTA continues to promote safe and healthy travel during the pandemic. Masks are required, and employee-ambassadors will reinforce this mandate and give out free masks as part of the Mask Force Philly program. More information on SEPTA service and COVID-19 can be found at septa.org/covid-19.

Seniors Ride Free on Transit

Adults age 65 and older can ride free at all times on SEPTA buses, trackless trolleys, trolleys, Broad Street and Market Frankford lines, and Regional Rail. 

Seniors may ride free by using one of the following:

  • PA Driver’s License (with magnetic stripe only, issued before July 2017)
  • PA Non-Driver Identification Card (with magnetic stripe only, issued before July 2017)
  • Senior Ride Free Key card

To register for a Senior Ride Free Key card, SEPTA is offering same day service by appointment only at SEPTA Headquarters (1234 Market St., Concourse Level, Philadelphia PA 19107). To make an appointment, call 215-580-7145 and press #6. Call center hours are Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. At your appointment, you will need to provide an ID that verifies your date-of-birth. 

Reduced Transit Fare for People with Disabilities Under Age 65 

Individuals under age 65 with a qualifying disability can ride at half-fare at all times on SEPTA buses, trackless trolleys, trolleys, Broad Street and Market Frankford lines, and Regional Rail.  Registration information below. 

To register, SEPTA is offering same day service by appointment only at SEPTA Headquarters (1234 Market St., Concourse Level, Philadelphia, PA 19107). To make an appointment, call 215-580-7145 and press #6. Call center hours are Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Eligibility criteria and application information can be found here. 

SEPTA CCT Connect Service 

SEPTA Customized Community Connect (CCT) is available to seniors and individuals with disabilities and/or access and functional needs that are registered with SEPTA CCT. 

SEPTA will be on-site at the Center City Vaccination Center seven days a week to make CCT reservations for second dose vaccination appointments. The representative will also be available to provide information and answer questions about other SEPTA services, including the Senior Ride Free Key card and the Reduced Transit Fare card for People with Disabilities. 

ADA Pick-Up and Drop-Off

A designated drop-off point with ADA accessibility will be located on the south side of the 100-200 block of N. 12th Street, between Arch and Race Streets.

A designated pick-up point with ADA accessibility will be located on the northeast corner of 1100 Arch Street, between 11th and 12th Streets.

Taxi, Rideshare, and Privately Owned Vehicles

Designated drop-off points for rideshare, taxi, and privately owned vehicles will be located on the northside of 100 N. 12th Street, between Arch and Race Streets. 

Designated pick-up points for rideshare, taxi, and privately owned vehicles will be located on the 0-100 block of N. 11th Street, between Market and Arch Streets.

Parking Information

There are nearly 30 private parking garages and lots within five blocks of the PCC and the clinic entrance—totalling over 10,000 parking spaces. The PCC website lists various options, and there are several parking apps that can help locate available parking resources. The following parking garages are offering discounted rates for 2-hour parking. Rates must be validated by showing the vaccination card given to individuals after receiving their vaccine.    

  • The Autopark at the Fashion District

45 N. 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

$5 for 2-hour parking

  • Parkway Broad and Race Garage

150 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102

$10 for 2-hour parking 

  • Parkway 12th & Filbert Garage

1201 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

$10 for 2-hour parking

Additionally, from Wednesday, March 3 to Thursday, April 1, the Philadelphia Parking Authority will provide complimentary parking between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. at its three SEPTA regional rail lots referenced below.

  •  Fern Rock Rail Station Lot

10th & Nedro Streets

  •  Fox Chase Rail Station Lot

500 Rhawn Street

  • Torresdale Rail Station Lot

4900 Grant Avenue

Traffic Management Plan

A traffic management plan managed by the Philadelphia Police Department, Philadelphia Parking Authority, and Center City Vaccination Center staff will be instituted around the Pennsylvania Convention Center. 

The Parking Authority will relax parking meter enforcement in the following areas:

  • 11th Street to Broad Street, between Race and Arch Streets
  • Race Street, between 11th and Broad Streets
  • Arch Street, between 11th and Broad Streets

However, within this relaxed parking area, several zones must remain free of parked vehicles to provide adequate space for pick-up/drop-off near the PA Convention Center. Beginning March 3, 2021, “No Parking” signs will be posted in the following areas to facilitate drop-off and pick-up:

  • Arch Street from 11th to 13th Streets
  • 12th Street from Race to Arch Streets
  • 13th Street from Race to Arch Streets
  • 11th Street from Market to Arch Streets

These restrictions will allow for designated pick-up and drop-off areas, including for ADA accessibility. Philadelphia Police Officers will be onsite to assist in directing traffic and keeping drop-off areas flowing. 

Center City Vaccination Center staff will be deployed outside along 12th Street to help facilitate the ingress of those coming for vaccination appointments and those with questions. Signs will designate drop-off areas as well as the entry and exit points. 

What to Bring

An ID or piece of mail with a Philadelphia address is necessary to provide proof of identity and residency.

What to Expect

Individuals with vaccination appointments should plan to arrive on time. You may have to wait in line prior to entering the site to get your vaccine; seating and wheelchairs are available on site to assist individuals who are unable to stand for extended periods of time. You will move through several areas while answering important screening questions. Be prepared to move around the facility while you are traveling from registration, to vaccination, to observation. If you require mobility assistance, let any staff member in uniform know. One companion may accompany the person with the appointment.

You’ll be asked a few health screening questions to ensure it’s safe for you to receive the vaccine, and then you’ll get the vaccine. After you’ve been vaccinated, you’ll wait in an observation area for 15 minutes; certain health conditions will require a 30-minute observation time. You’ll be scheduled for your second dose, if your vaccine requires one. 

You will receive a CDC issued card, keep this card in a safe place. Take a picture of it on your phone and email it to yourself. You’ll need to bring it to your second vaccine appointment, if you are required to receive a second dose. 

You will also receive an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) issued fact sheet with certain vaccine-specific EUA information for you to read.

You may experience minor side effects after your vaccination. These side effects are signals that your immune system is working. Potential short-term side effects include:

  • A sore arm
  • General muscle aches
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Chills
  • Fever

Clinical staff will be a mix of federal partners, including uniformed military providers, and volunteers from the Philadelphia Medical Reserve Corps. U.S. Army North is serving as coordinating agency for the Department of Defense’s COVID-19 response in support of FEMA.

Language Access: Translation and Interpretations Services

If you or a member of your party needs language translation or interpretation services, see any staff member. A mix of on-site translators and mobile applications will be used to communicate with those who require interpretation of languages commonly spoken in Philadelphia.

AFN Considerations 

There will be an assisted check-in area and process, as well as signage with directions for patients with access and functional needs. There will be on-site translation in American Sign Language (ASL) with additional language capability on-call as needed. Wheelchairs will be available. Video Remote Interpreting services will also be available on site.

Items NOT Allowed Inside the Pennsylvania Convention Center 

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to:

  • Aerosols
  • Ammunition
  • Animals other than service/guide animals
  • Bags exceeding size restriction 18”x13”x7”
  • Bicycles
  • Balloons
  • Coolers
  • Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems
  • Explosives
  • Firearms
  • Knives
  • Laser pointers
  • Packages
  • Supports for signs and placards
  • Toy guns
  • Weapons of any kind
  • Any other items determined to be potential safety hazards

Stay Informed

Stay updated on important information regarding the Center City Vaccination Center and other COVID-19 vaccine news by texting COVIDPHL to 888-777 and by visiting the City’s official coronavirus website. Residents may also follow the following social media accounts for information:

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