2 community groups plan coronavirus vaccine clinics in North Huntingdon, Greensburg

Community groups are partnering with pharmacies for two free, appointment-only coronavirus vaccine clinics this week.

North Huntingdon EMS/Rescue is holding a clinic with Rite Aid on Tuesday at Calvary Church, 8653 Pennsylvania Ave. The Moderna vaccine, for anyone 18 and older, will be administered and, as of midday Monday, more than 25 appointments remained available.

Pre-registration is required online through Eventbrite here.

Any adult is eligible to get the vaccine in Pennsylvania. State officials last week urged residents to get their immunizations as quickly as possible as vaccine hesitancy appears to be a growing issue. Clinics around the state are reporting unfilled appointments and nearly half of Pennsylvania’s nursing home workers have declined the shot.

Another clinic is planned Saturday by Voice of Westmoreland at Greater Parkview Church, 103 Westminster Ave., Greensburg. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dozens of appointments for the Pfizer shot, for anyone 16 and older, were available through Mainline Pharmacy.

Pre-registration is required online through the pharmacy.

Members of Voice of Westmoreland have been demanding better vaccine access for months, advocating for a county health department and seeking help from the commissioners to create a centralized registry.

In Westmoreland County, 50,000 people are partially covered by the coronavirus vaccine, according to state department of health figures. More than 85,000 have been fully vaccinated. In total, that’s about 45% of the county’s adult population. State officials said Friday they’re planning a print and digital media campaign promoting the vaccine.

Excela Health also continues to vaccinate people through a clinic in North Huntingdon, with appointments available at excelahealth.org. Excela officials last week said some appointments have been going unfilled.

Another mass vaccination event is planned Tuesday at Pittsburgh Mills Mall in Tarentum. Allegheny Health Network plans to provide a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine to up to 7,000 people ages 16 and older. The clinic is being held in the former Sears location at 289 Pittsburgh Mills Circle.

No walk-ins will be accepted, but appointments are still available online at ahn.org/coronavirus/vaccine or by calling 412-DOCTORS.