AHN to Partner with Jewish Community Center to Vaccinate 1,250 Community Members on Thursday

PITTSBURGH (Apr. 15, 2021) – Since early February, Allegheny Health Network and Highmark Health have administered over 277,000 COVID-19 vaccines in Western Pennsylvania through several dozen mass vaccination clinics and daily clinics at AHN hospitals and other facilities. As part of its ongoing efforts to ensure equitable distribution and convenient access to the vaccine, AHN has partnered with the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh (JCC) in Squirrel Hill to vaccinate 1,250 individuals today.

“Working with community groups and faith-based organizations has been vital in ensuring the vaccine is available to everyone in our community,” shared Amy Crawford-Faucher, MD, family medicine physician and vice chair of the AHN Primary Care Institute. “By embedding these clinics in a variety of communities throughout the western Pennsylvania region, we’re able to get shots in the arms of individuals who may not have had easy access to the vaccine otherwise.”

The JCC is working with over 70 neighborhood groups in under-served communities throughout the region to fill appointments for the event. No walk-ins will be accepted.

“We are so pleased to partner with AHN by providing facilities and support for the Covid-19 vaccine clinic,” said Brian Schreiber, JCC President and CEO. “We are committed to supporting life-sustaining and public health initiatives during the pandemic, and on supporting our neighbors from all communities.” In addition to providing facilities, the JCC’s Center for Loving Kindness (CFLK) UPstander volunteers have made hundreds of phone calls to register community members for vaccination appointments, with a special focus on those who may not have access to register online. CFLK UPstanders also are helping to staff the vaccine clinic.

In addition to several mass vaccination clinics, the network partnered with Mount Ararat Baptist Church in the City’s East End, Macedonia Church of Pittsburgh in Bedford Dwellings, and Petra International Ministries in Penn Hills in March to make the vaccine available to those in communities that rank high on the CDC Social Vulnerability Index and who have been hit hardest by the pandemic, including marginalized populations. The vaccination clinic in partnership with the JCC is a continuation of AHN’s prioritization of ensuring equitable distribution of the vaccine doses it receives based on western Pennsylvania’s population demographics.

WHAT:

Appointment-only COVID-19 vaccination clinic for 1,250 individuals who have pre-registered to receive the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine. Note that this event is not open to those who have not pre-registered and have a confirmed appointment.

WHERE:

The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh

5738 Darlington Road

Pittsburgh, PA 15217

WHEN:

TODAY, Thursday, April 15   

11 AM – 7 PM

WHO:

• Leaders from AHN and Highmark Health
• 1,250 individuals who will receive the first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine
• Volunteers from AHN, Highmark Health, and CFLK UPstander volunteers
• Faith-based and community leaders