AHN covid vaccine clinic canceled in New Kensington

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Tribune-Review learned around noon Wednesday that this scheduled covid vaccine clinic has been canceled. No reason for the cancellation was immediately available. It was not immediately known if the clinic would be rescheduled.

Original report follows:

Allegheny Health Network will hold a covid vaccination clinic in New Kensington on Wednesday.

The clinic will be held in conjunction with Mt. Calvary Baptist Church’s community day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1150 Fourth Ave.

While aimed at marginalized populations, the clinic is open to anyone, AHN spokeswoman JoAnne Clobus said.

The two-dose Pfizer and one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be offered for those age 12 and up. Appointments are not needed.

For those who get the Pfizer vaccine, Clobus said second shots will be given at the same location between 10 a.m. and noon Sept. 8.

Third-shot boosters will not be offered at Wednesday’s clinic, Clobus said. AHN is offering boosters only to immune-compromised patients, such as those in active cancer treatment, transplant patients and those with advanced HIV, and is contacting them directly to make arrangements, she said.

As the delta variant of covid-19 sparks a new surge of hospitalizations and deaths nationwide, expanded access to the vaccine has become critically important, the health network said.

AHN says it has distributed more than 360,000 vaccine doses at its mass vaccination sites, hospitals and community clinics.

It has allotted about 20% of its vaccine supply for minority populations and the underserved, based on regional demographics.

“Minority populations have been disproportionately impacted by this pandemic over the last year, and continue to experience access barriers to the vaccine in many parts of the country,” said Dr. Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, AHN and Highmark Health senior vice president and chief clinical diversity and inclusion officer.

“AHN and Highmark Health are committed to an equitable vaccine distribution that is reflective of our region’s demographics, and we are thrilled to be continuing our partnership with community organizations to expand access to the vaccine,” she said.