First of 3 Immunization for the local faith community
Penn Medicine and Mercy Catholic Medical Center – Mercy Philadelphia Campus joined to provide immunizations to a coalition of religious and community leaders from Southwest on February 13. The mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic provided virus protection for 500 staff and parishioners from the local churches. It was held at the Church of Christian Compassion, 6121 Cedar Avenue.
The anti-virus injections were given to individuals in the phase 1b priority group outlined by the City Department of Public Health. The event is the first of three planned vaccination events in partnership with the local faith community. Individuals who receive shots at each clinic will return to the same site to receive their second vaccination a month later.
Despite the current striking decline in cases and hospitalizations nationwide and in Pennsylvania, UPMC immunology and infectious disease urged strongly to each vaccine recipient that those already vaccinated and residents awaiting their turn for the vaccine continue to wear masks and maintain prescribed social distancing and group gathering limitations.
The initial clinic provided 500 doses of the vaccine from Penn Medicine hospital’s vaccine supply to residents who registered in advance via a Penn Medicine text-based platform or phoned in. Subsequent participating religious organizations will provide information about that process to their own members. Interested participants must register in advance. Walk-up appointments will not be available.
( Zach Raczka is a Senior Associate at AKCG – Public Relations Counselors)
