Marian Cowan of New Kensington had one word for how getting her second covid vaccination shot feels: “Awesome.”

“I don’t have to worry anymore,” said Cowan, 74. “I can see my great-granddaughter, who is coming for Easter.”

Cowan and her father, Daniel Hawkins, 97, also of New Kensington, both got their second shots at an Allegheny Health Network clinic in New Kensington on Wednesday, four weeks after getting their first doses of the Moderna vaccine.

Cowan said her arm was a little sore after getting the first shot, but that was it.

“If that’s all I have to worry about, it’s all good,” she said.

Cowan and her father were among 350 people who had attended the first clinic Feb. 24 at the former Citizens General Hospital. They were all expected to come back Wednesday for their second and final shot.

In two weeks, on April 7, they’ll be considered fully immunized, said Dr. William Bailey, chief medical officer of Allegheny Valley Hospital. The Moderna vaccine is considered about 95% effective.

The clinic was targeted at high-risk, marginalized patients, including Black and Latino populations, who live near the hospital. Once that population was served, it was opened to others 65 and older, those who have underlying medical conditions, and caregivers, AHN spokeswoman JoAnne Clobus said.

On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported there have been 999,617 positive covid-19 cases across the state. Of the 1,631 hospitalized, 341 were in intensive care.

As of Tuesday, vaccine providers had administered 4.5 million vaccine doses. About 1.6 million are fully vaccinated, while just over 3 million are partially vaccinated, meaning they received one dose of a two-dose vaccine, the department said.

An upbeat, positive vibe permeated the New Kensington clinic, shared by staff and patients, who had superhero Band-Aids applied to their arms after getting their shots.

“They are all heroes,” said Marcie Johnson, a health coach who was giving shots.

Curtis Boyd, 65, of Penn Hills said he couldn’t be happier to get his second shot.

“I feel … actually, I feel free again,” he said. “I plan on maybe taking a trip I haven’t been able to take for a year-and-a-half, visit my family and try to get back to as normal as fast and as best as I can.”

While sitting in the observation room for the required 15 minutes, Wayne Eremic, 58, of White Oak was rubbing his left shoulder, something he found reduces soreness.

“I’m ecstatic to take this mask off and live a normal life,” he said. He has plans to travel to Savannah, Ga., to visit his son and daughter-in-law, who he hasn’t seen since September.

But Sheldon Boone, 66, of New Kensington said he’ll keep wearing his mask anyway to be safe.

“It gives you that background protection,” he said.

While some may be skeptical of the vaccine, Boone said it’s necessary.

“Everyone has different feelings,” he said. “I’m one to say go for it.”

Now that she’s fully vaccinated, Georgetta Dwyer, 62, of Lower Burrell said she’s planning on going out to eat.

“As soon as I can, I’m going on vacation,” she said. “Either the Carolinas or Maryland — one of them, maybe both.”

As a front line medical worker, Bailey got the Pfizer vaccine in December.

“Life feels better having your two vaccines,” he said. “There’s less fear, even for us in the hospital. There’s less trepidation in the staff knowing they’re vaccinated.”

But Bailey warns folks shouldn’t think that a second covid shot will be their last. As the virus morphs and changes, the vaccine will need to be modified, like the annual flu shot.

It’s not known how long immunity from the current vaccines will last.

“Are we going to need another shot in the fall, in one year, or in five years — no one knows that yet,” he said. “That’s part of the reason why the masks aren’t going away.”

Clobus said AHN is advising those still trying to get a vaccination appointment to look online at AHN’s MyChart or to go through the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s website.

“We’re hoping as many people take the opportunity to get vaccinated as possible. I know there’s a lot of pent-up demand,” Bailey said. “To those who have been afraid to get the vaccine, we have millions and millions of people vaccinated in this country.

“I would encourage them to look toward immunizing themselves both for their own protection and as far as increasing the community’s protection as well.”

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)