New Kensington CVS among 6 in state getting limited covid vaccine shots

The New Kensington CVS was one of six of the pharmacy chain’s Pennsylvania locations administering covid-19 vaccinations in Pennsylvania beginning Thursday.

The vaccinations were by appointment only for those eligible at this time. All six Pennsylvania stores were fully booked.

Other CVS locations were in Chambersburg, Franklin County; Enola, Cumberland County; Reading, Berks County; West Chester, Chester County; and York in York County.

“As more supply becomes available, we will expand vaccine access through an increasing number of store locations and in more Pennsylvania counties,” CVS spokesman Matt Blanchette said.

Eligibility was limited to those age 65 and up, health care personnel, people age 16 and over with high-risk conditions, and residents and staff of long-term care facilities.

“Vaccinations are appointment-only, and we encourage eligible patients to use our online scheduling tool at cvs.com or on the CVS app to find a location that is convenient for them to access,” Blanchette said.

CVS has a covid-19 resource center on its website.

People without online access can contact CVS customer service at 800-746-7287.

Walk-in vaccinations without an appointment will not be provided, the company said.

“More appointments are added as we receive allocation,” Blanchette said. “The best advice is to continue checking as appointments at the current locations and new locations will be added in the coming days, weeks, months as more vaccine arrives.”

The six Pennsylvania locations are among more than 640 locations in 17 states where CVS is administering vaccine.

Supply for the limited rollout in Pennsylvania, from the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, will be about 7,000 doses weekly.

Vaccines will eventually be available at CVS Pharmacy locations throughout the country subject to availability, with the capacity to administer 20 to 25 million shots per month.

Other pharmacies’ plans

At Giant Eagle, all patients must schedule an appointment; none were available on Thursday. Walk-ins are not permitted, the company says on its website.

Giant Eagle says those wanting text message updates can sign up by texting “vaccine” to 7 3 7 5 8 7.

Giant Eagle announced Thursday it will host a multi-day vaccine clinic at Heinz Field in partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The clinics will be held next Tuesday through Friday, March 2-5.

Appointments will begin being taken Friday through the company’s online scheduling tool or beginning Monday by calling 877-288-2070.

Those unable to use Giant Eagle’s online scheduling tool should call their local Giant Eagle pharmacy for appointment availability. The grocer notes that individuals must be currently eligible to receive the vaccine to schedule an appointment.

Rite Aid has vaccine allocations in Pennsylvania and five other states and two jurisdictions — California, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Washington State, Philadelphia and New York City — and says it may get doses directly from additional state and local jurisdictions.

Rite Aid suggests customers view its eligibility guide on its website for updated information on vaccine eligibility in specific areas and how to register for an appointment at a Rite Aid.

Appointments cannot be made by calling local Rite Aid stores, and store and pharmacy employees are not able to schedule appointments. In Pennsylvania, Rite Aid is checking eligibility and scheduling appointments online.

On its website, Walgreens says limited supplies of vaccines are available at select stores in some states to people who meet state-specific eligibility criteria.

As of Thursday, Walgreens had links for residents of three states — New Hampshire, New Mexico and West Virginia — to schedule vaccinations.

For residents of all other states, it was conducting eligibility screenings through customers’ walgreens.com pharmacy accounts. The company says it will look for available vaccination appointments in the area of those eligible.