(PITTSBURGH) For more than three months, Allegheny Health Network (AHN) has held dozens of mass vaccination clinics at various locations across Western Pennsylvania, reaching many people in our region with the COVID-19 vaccine. To continue to ensure convenient vaccine access for those who have not yet been vaccinated, as well as equitable distribution, the network will host a community-based clinics in Aliquippa on Thursday

 

Following are the details of the upcoming clinic:

 

Thursday, May 6

Church in the Round (744 Griffith Street; Aliquippa, Pa. 15001)

2 – 5 p.m.

Vaccine type: Pfizer-BioNTech (first of two doses)

**Appointments and walk-ins accepted**

By ZEKE MILLER and JONATHAN LEMIRE Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has set a new vaccination goal to deliver at least one dose to 70% of American adults by July Fourth. He’s focusing on easing access to shots as his administration tackles the vexing problem of winning over the doubters and those who are reluctant to get inoculated. Demand for vaccines has dropped off markedly nationwide, with some states leaving more than half their vaccine doses unordered. Biden is calling for states to make vaccines available on a walk-in basis and will direct many pharmacies to do likewise. Biden’s goal equates to delivering at least the first shot to 181 million adults and fully vaccinating 160 million by Independence Day.

(Beaver County, Pa.) COVID-19 Cases in Pennsylvania are continuing to decrease. Last week the state reported an additional 22,543 positive cases of COVID-19. Two weeks ago the state reported 27,069 positive cases of COVID-19. That’s 4,526 less cases this week. Over all cases are on the decrease throughout the United States.

Beaver County reported 253 positive cases last week compared to 325 cases two weeks ago. The county also had three deaths last week that were COVID-19 related.

Of the 163,929 that were reported to live in Beaver County, in 2019, there have been 14,784 positive cases of COVID-19 and 376 deaths in the county. Of those Deaths 221 have been reported occurred at nursing homes in the county which means that 155 residents of Beaver County that don’t live in a nursing home have died due to being COVID-19 related.

FDA expected to OK Pfizer vaccine for teens within week
By ZEKE MILLER and JONATHAN LEMIRE Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to authorize Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for kids ages 12 to 15 by next week, setting up shots for many before the beginning of the next school year. That’s according to a federal official and a person familiar with the process. The FDA action would be followed by a meeting of a federal vaccine advisory committee to discuss whether to recommend the shot for 12- to 15-year-olds. Then the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would act on the committee’s recommendation. Those steps could be completed in a matter of days.

(Washington, D.C.)The Transportation Security Administration is extending the face mask requirement for travelers across all transportation networks throughout the United States, including at airports, onboard commercial aircraft, on over-the-road buses, and on commuter bus and rail systems through September 13.

The TSA’s initial face mask requirement went into effect on February 1 and was set to expire on May 11 as a way to minimize the spread of COVID-19. But TSA officials say about half of all adults have at least on vaccination shot, and masks remain an important took in defeating the pandemic.

AHN, Carnegie Mellon University to host a COVID-19 vaccination clinic today

 

Offering both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, the clinic is open to anyone ages 16 and older. Walk-ins will be accepted. 

 

PITTSBURGH (Apr. 30, 2021) – As part of Allegheny Health Network’s (AHN) ongoing and persistent efforts to reach Western Pennsylvanians with the COVID-19 vaccine, the network will partner with Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) today to host a COVID-19 clinic. 

 

The AHN clinic will be held 8 AM – noon in CMU’s Wiegand Gymnasium, and both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be offered. Attendees may choose which vaccine they would like to receive.

 

In addition to students and faculty, members of the public are welcome to attend. While walk-ins will be accepted, appointments are strongly encouraged in order to expedite the onsite check-in process. To schedule an appointment, visit www.ahn.org/coronavirus/vaccine or call (412) DOCTORS. AHN MyChart users can log in to their account to schedule.

 

Parking will be available in the East Campus Garage and will be validated by CMU.

 

WHAT:

COVID-19 vaccination clinic for 2,000 individuals ages 16 and older. The clinic is open to the general public. Appointments and walk-ins will be accepted.

 

WHERE:

Wiegand Gymnasium at Carnegie Mellon University

*Gym is located on the first floor of the Cohon Center*

5032 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

 

WHEN:

TODAY, Friday, April 30, 2021

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania officials say employees of a vendor paid to conduct COVID-19 contact tracing may have compromised the private information of at least 72,000 people. The state Health Department said Thursday it recently learned workers at Atlanta-based Insight Global disregarded security protocols established in its state contract. The company has been directed to secure the records and has hired third-party specialists to conduct a forensic examination. Insight Global acknowledged it mishandled sensitive data and apologized. The Health Department plans to drop Insight Global once its contract expires in three months.

Pennsylvania sending COVID-19 vaccines to more providers
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania is sending COVID-19 vaccine to more providers, widening its distribution network this week to include doctors, small pharmacies and others as part of its effort to overcome lingering hesitancy among residents who have yet to get the shot. The Health Department said Wednesday it allocated more than 295,000 doses to 383 providers, up from 225 providers that received shipments last week. The state is gradually adding providers after having directed the state’s weekly allotment to hospitals and other larger providers that could swiftly administer the shots. State officials say they are are shifting focus to hard-to-reach areas and populations.

(Chippewa Twp., Pa.) Blackhawk High School students will be learning remotely until Monday, May 3, 2021. The high school is closed to in-person instruction due to recent cases of COVID-19.
Students will have classes via TEAMS during the building’s closure.

The closure affects only the high school and all other schools and buildings will remain open for in-person instruction.

High school athletics and activities are also canceled until Monday, May 3, 2021.

Department of Health Updates Mask Guidance Following CDC Announcement Harrisburg, PA – Department of Health Acting Secretary Alison Beam announced that the department has updated its mask guidance to reflect the announcement made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) earlier today. “Today’s CDC announcement allows those who are fully vaccinated the opportunity to spend time outdoors, in some situations, without wearing a mask,” Acting Secretary Beam said. “This is both welcomed and exciting news for individuals who are fully vaccinated and are at a significantly lower risk to serious illness from COVID-19. However, those who are not vaccinated will still need to wear a mask in most situations, and those who are fully vaccinated should still wear a mask when in crowded spaces.” The CDC provided information today about activities that fully vaccinated people can do, including: Visiting with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing. Visiting with unvaccinated people (including children) from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing. Participating in outdoor activities and recreation without a mask, except in certain crowded settings and venues. Resuming domestic travel and refraining from testing before or after travel, or self-quarantine after travel. Refraining from testing before leaving the United States for international travel (unless required by the destination) and refraining from self-quarantine after arriving back in the United States. Refraining from testing following a known exposure, if asymptomatic, with some exceptions for specific settings. Refraining from quarantine following a known exposure if asymptomatic. Refraining from routine COVID-19 testing if asymptomatic and if feasible. However, for now, fully vaccinated people are still advised to continue to: Take precautions like wearing a well-fitted mask in indoor public settings. Wear masks that fit snuggly when visiting indoors with unvaccinated people who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease or who have an unvaccinated household member who is at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease. Wear well-fitted masks when visiting indoors with unvaccinated people from multiple households. Avoid indoor large-sized, in-person gatherings. Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Follow guidance issued by individual employers. Follow CDC and health department travel requirements and recommendations. Additional guidance for those who are fully vaccinated is available on the CDC website. “Today’s announcement underscores the importance of getting vaccinated to protect yourself from COVID-19,” said Acting Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson. “It is important that people who have compromised immune systems consult with their physician as to whether they may need to continue to wear a mask in some of these situations.” The Pennsylvania Department of Health’s masking order from March 2021 incorporates CDC masking guidance for fully vaccinated individuals, including this guidance. The Department of Health is working to ensure the vaccine is provided in a way that is ethical, equitable and efficient. To keep Pennsylvanians informed about vaccination efforts: All Pennsylvanians age 16 and older are eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine. The provider map is available here. A commonwealth COVID-19 vaccination guide explains the current process for getting one. Pennsylvanians with questions about the vaccination process can call the Department of Health hotline at 1-877-724-3258. Vaccine provider map to find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you. All of the locations that received vaccine and how much they have received can be found on the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution webpage. Vaccine dashboard data can also be found on the website to find more information on the doses administered and showcase demographic information. The Unite Against COVID Weekly Update is a round-up of news you can use and answers to your most pressing vaccine questions – delivered directly to your inbox every week. Pennsylvanians can provide feedback on the Pennsylvania COVID-19 Interim Vaccination Plan by clicking on the Plan Feedback Form square under Popular Vaccine Topics here. Frequently asked questions can be found here. The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19: Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands. Clean surfaces frequently. Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell. If you must go out, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing. Download the COVID Alert PA app and make your phone part of the fight. The free app can be found in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store by searching for “covid alert pa”.