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Supply remains low, mass vaccination clinics in question for region

AP PHOTO

Though the supply of COVID-19 vaccinations still remains extremely limited, UPMC seems optimistic about the opportunity to open larger vaccination clinics to vaccinate “thousands” of patients according to Susan Duchman, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer of UPMC Susquehanna.

These clinics would not be considered “mass vaccination clinics” but rather clinics that can handle larger volumes of patients. Duchman said that UPMC does not want to do drive-through vaccines at this point because they want to continue with 15 minute monitoring for any reactions.

“As (more) vaccines are available, UPMC is opening and being

flexible about opening as many clinics as possible,” she said.

She added that UPMC is looking at a number of different sites to open larger clinics as the only one in Lycoming County, located at the Old Lycoming Township Fire Department, has been serving hundreds per day. On Thursday, they served 800 patients.

Right now the clinic is open Wednesday through Friday with extended hours throughout the week except Sundays, when they are closed.

Geisinger however, said that it is “too early to address plans for broader mass vaccination clinics” as there still remains a very limited supply of vaccine. Duchman agreed and stated that larger vaccination clinics can only happen with the right venue and supply.

Many health care professionals, including from the state Department of Health, are saying that the supply is just not meeting the demand at this time.

She added that each venue has to have a correct pattern for traffic including: a dedicated entrance, a dedicated exit, specific places to register, to be vaccinated and then monitored.

“We have to have the vaccine and the venue,” she added. “We have two site visits next week to assess that they can support larger volumes with the right flow pattern.”

Geisinger’s only Lycoming County clinic can be visited at the Jersey Shore Hospital, but just like UPMC, is only open to those who have confirmed appointments.

“All vaccine clinics have been open since mid-January,” Marc Stempka, Geisinger media relations, said.

Geisinger is currently not scheduling first-dose appointments at this time as they are trying to catch up on other appointments, while UPMC just launched a website, Vaccine.UPMC.com, which will allow those who are eligible as part of the phase 1A to register to be contacted for a vaccine appointment.

Registration however, does not guarantee a vaccine appointment.

“Our desire and goal is to vaccinate as many people as possible,” Duchman said. “We don’t want to turn people away…it is about availability (of vaccine supply).”

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