AHN covid vaccination clinic targets marginalized patients in New Kensington
Getting a needle stuck in her arm felt like normalcy coming back for Doris Hardy.
Hardy, 69, of New Kensington was one of about 350 people who received their first dose of the Moderna covid-19 vaccine during a clinic Wednesday at Allegheny Valley Hospital’s outpatient center in New Kensington, the former Citizens General Hospital. They’ll get the second dose in four weeks.
Hardy said getting the shot was emotional, not painful.
“You have to do it,” she said. “It’s something we have to do. We have to fight all this together.”
The vaccine clinic was targeted at high-risk marginalized patients, including Black and Latino populations who live near the hospital. It’s the fourth such clinic Allegheny Health Network has held over the past two weeks, the previous ones serving communities around Jefferson, Allegheny General and Forbes hospitals.
“They’re very, very thankful,” said Pam Kankoski, an AHN health coach who gave Hardy her shot. “They’re happy it’s local. It’s easy for them to get here.”
Dr. Vicenta Gaspar-Yoo, a Filipina and president of Allegheny Valley Hospital, said the clinic — the first of its kind in the Alle-Kiski Valley — was held in New Kensington because they know the city has a walking population that doesn’t have cars or access to transportation to get to the Harrison hospital.
“I’m bringing the vaccine clinic to them,” she said. “Everybody has been so appreciative.”
According to AHN, racial and ethnic minorities have been disproportionately affected by covid-19 locally in Western Pennsylvania and across the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that long-standing, systemic health and social inequities have put such people at increased risk of getting sick and dying from the virus — covid hospitalization rates among Blacks and Hispanic or Latino people are about 4.7 times the rate of white people.
Surveys from Carnegie Mellon University researchers show vaccine distribution is lower among Black and Hispanic Americans than white people across the U.S.
“Things that have happened over the lives of many of these individuals say they should not trust the health care system,” said Dr. Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, chief clinical diversity and inclusion officer for AHN. “This is not one of those times. This is a time where we really need to make sure that they understand the science, that they trust the science, and that they do get the vaccine.
“This is not just a matter of them saving their lives, but it’s saving their legacy,” she said. “They know how important it is to do this.
“Most of the older individuals are not hesitant about taking it. It’s the younger generation who are much more hesitant. These folks know the difference, and they come out. They know this is a great thing that we’re doing today. Frankly, I think they’re heroes.”
After getting the vaccine, clinic participants spent 15 minutes in an observation room before leaving.
Bill Garnett, 73, of East Deer said he had no concerns about him and his wife, Margie, 72, getting the vaccine. Their son drove them to the clinic.
“I’m glad I got it,” Margie Garnett said. “I’m glad it was close to home.”
Stephanie Hawkins, 53, of Plum said she has multiple sclerosis. She thought the shot would make her scream, but she didn’t even feel it.
“I want to make sure I’m OK so I can be around people and go to church,” she said.
Spencer Craig, 65, of Penn Hills said he was excited to get the vaccine so he can go out and visit his family.
He was initially concerned about getting the shot, but “after doing a little research and getting more information, I’m really comfortable getting it,” Craig said. “I would just say do it. We got to get this virus under control.”
Hardy said she’s looking forward to her second shot.
“Then we can start to breathe again — with a mask, always with a mask,” she said.
As supplies of the vaccine allow, AHN said it is planning to deploy a mobile vaccine distribution program in the coming weeks that will further improve access to the vaccine in underserved communities across the region.
Brian C. Rittmeyer, a Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College, has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.
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