Butler Health System will extend vaccinations, according to an announcement Thursday.

The system's vaccination plans have been updated on its website, and the addition includes expanding to allow those 65 and older to schedule their appointments for vaccination.

“Scheduling is now open until vaccine doses are gone,” said BHS spokeswoman Jana Panther. “It goes quickly.”

In recent weeks, BHS at both its Butler Memorial and Clarion hospitals has continued vaccinating health care professionals and people age 75 and older. Those plans were more restrictive than Phase 1A guidance in the state's vaccine distribution plans, which have included people age 65 and older for weeks.

When making the shift from the state's plan, the hospital cited concerns about supply and its intent to focus on vaccinating the people highest at risk first while supplies remain limited.

While vaccine distribution has ramped up across the country, state officials have continually said the supply has not reached an adequate level to meet the demand.

Panther said supplies will continue to determine how long scheduling will remain open.

“It depends on what we receive from the state,” Panther said. “Our goal remains to get the vaccine into the arms of our community.”

Anyone age 65 and older who needs help scheduling their vaccine appointment can contact the Butler County Agency on Aging at 724-282-3008.

According to Thursday's report by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, two more Butler County residents have died from COVID-19, and there were 43 new confirmed cases attributed to the county's total.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 8,418 county residents have tested positive for COVID-19, and 337 have died from the virus.<b>Butler County</b>Confirmed cases: 8,418Probable cases: 4,556Negative tests: 43,551Deaths: 337<b>Pennsylvania</b>New cases: 3,370Total cases: 856,986New deaths: 146Total deaths: 22,101Recovered: 84<b>Surrounding Counties</b>Allegheny: 55737 confirmed cases; 340,105 negative; and 1,568 deathsArmstrong: 3,675 confirmed cases; 13,965 negative; and 113 deathsBeaver: 9,510 confirmed cases; 42,609 negative; and 326 deathsClarion: 1,676 confirmed cases; 7,296 negative; and 75 deathsLawrence: 4,258 confirmed cases; 16,896 negative; and 175 deathsMercer: 6,100 confirmed cases; 25,284 negative; and 228 deathsVenango: 2,568 confirmed cases; 9,841 negative; and 77 deathsWestmoreland: 18,010 confirmed cases; 81,855 negative; and 617 deaths.