PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Allegheny County is expanding who is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine at its clinics.
Before that, the county was only vaccinating people over 65. It is now expanding eligibility for people aged 50 to 64 in category 1A of the state on Friday. This includes people with high-risk diseases like cancer, heart disease or type 2 diabetes.
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This is good news for Jen Stenson, who falls into this category and now has a new option to get vaccinated.
“I think this is incredible news. I look forward to receiving my vaccine, ”said Stenson. “I was hoping to get one soon. I have searched all the sites. Now that it’s official, I’ll be happy to buy one. “
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At the moment, Allegheny County runs several clinics on a consultation basis, including one in Monroeville, Castle Shannon and a new one that just opened at the Peterson Events Center on Wednesday.
The county plans to open two other vaccination sites at the Ross Township Community Center and one at the Central Baptist Church in the Hill District.
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County health officials said they are giving 10,000 injections a day and have more doses on the way. It turns out that Allegheny County Health Director, Dr. Debra Bogen, said she is concerned about a sudden increase.
She says there are some outbreaks in the county associated with the UK variant, which spreads more efficiently. She says that infected residents are reporting that they are going to more events and are concerned about the slow reopening of the state and the case count may increase.
“I ask that everyone remain cautious for another month or two, while we vaccinate more people,” she said at a news conference on Wednesday.
While fears remain in the county, relief is on the way for more families.
“So that I can take off the mask and be able to get back to some sense of normality as quickly as possible,” said Robert Beck of McCandless.
Although more vaccines are being launched, the health department is encouraging people to wear masks and social distance.
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More information about the county’s vaccine clinics can be found online.