By ERIC SEIVERLING
Residents from around the Mon Valley were in Carroll Township Tuesday morning, thanks to Monongahela Valley Hospital.
The hospital held another vaccination clinic in the Carroll Township Social Hall for residents getting their second Pfizer shot as well as those seeking their first vaccine.
According to MVH Pharmacy Director Margaret Brown, PharmD, the hospital brought 400 second doses of the vaccine and 50 first doses.
“We’re along with the rest of the country and demand for the vaccine is down,” Brown said. “There’s been a vaccine reluctance among certain groups of people, whether it’s because of their jobs or not being able to get to a clinic. We’re trying to meet those people with smaller community outreaches.”
Along with Carroll Township, Brown said MVH has given approximately 20,000 vaccine shots during Valley clinics in areas such as Stockdale, Monessen High School, California University of Pennsylvania, Monongahela and Belle Vernon.
For residents who received a shot Tuesday in the social hall, the timing couldn’t be better.
“I’m in Allegheny County and I’m not sitting on the phone for an hour and a half to schedule something,” said Elizabeth Borough resident Chuck David, who received his second shot. “They wanted me to go down to the stadiums and wait in line. When this came available, I took it. It was quick and it was so organized.”
David said he was hesitant to get the vaccine a couple of months ago.
“I was undecided if I wanted to get one or not,” he said. “I’m not fond of shots and we didn’t know if it would work. We were being used as guinea pigs. But my brother and other relatives got their shots, so I thought I would just get it over with. It must be doing something because it’s slowed the virus.”
To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Wednesday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.