Monroeville clinic to start vaccinating people 65 and older; supply 'extremely limited'
People age 65 and older can sign up to get a covid-19 vaccine at a Monroeville clinic starting next week, Allegheny County health officials announced Friday night.
An “extremely limited” number of appointments to receive the first dose of the Moderna coronavirus vaccine will be available as soon as Monday at the DoubleTree hotel near the Monroeville Mall and Convention Center, county officials said.
Prospective recipients do not have to be residents of Allegheny County to get a vaccine, according to county health department spokesman Aaron Aupperlee.
The clinic appears to mark the first large-scale option in the region for anyone over 65 to receive a vaccine.
It comes days after Pennsylvania health officials expanded vaccine eligibility for that age group despite concerns raised by health care providers over having enough vaccines available to meet the expansion.
The state health department also added to the eligibility list people between 16 and 64 with certain underlying health conditions, including cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes and many others, in line with federal guidance.
But like other early vaccine providers, the Allegheny County Health Department does not have enough vaccine doses on hand to distribute them to anyone under 65, regardless of their medical condition.
“Until supply increases, individuals in that category are encouraged to speak with their primary care provider about other options to receive a vaccine,” the county health department said in statement.
RELATED: Pa. residents 65 and older eligible for covid vaccine but most providers don’t have supply
Earlier in the day, Allegheny Health Network officials said they have halted new appointments because their vaccine supply has run out.
Excela Health officials say they still are limiting vaccines only to health care workers. UPMC’s website states that its vaccine efforts remain focused on health care workers and residents and staff at long-term care facilities.
How to book a vaccine in Monroeville
Appointments must be made online for the Monroeville vaccine clinic.
It will operate 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
County officials cautioned that “appointments will be extremely limited as the health department continues to vaccinate eligible healthcare workers and those returning for the second shot in the vaccination series.”
Anyone who cannot provide proof of either their age of 65 or older or employment as a health care worker will be turned away — as will anyone who shows up without registering for a time slot in advance.
The county provided this link to register starting on Monday.
For more information, go to www.alleghenycounty.us/
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