Excela becomes latest Pittsburgh-area hospital system to receive COVID-19 vaccines

GREENSBURG, Pa. — The rollout of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is hitting more hospitals in the Pittsburgh area.

The latest one: Excela Health in Greensburg. About 500 front-line workers there were vaccinated Friday, and 70% of the staff signed up to get the vaccine over the next three weeks.

[Here is how to stay informed about coronavirus updates from WPXI]

The second dose is coming in 21 days, while hospital officials told Channel 11 they ordered 5,700 doses and have 3,000 in-house already.

Excela vaccinated employees every five minutes, so it is hoping this helps curb exposure and ends staffing shortages brought on by the pandemic.

“They are the front line of defense for the patients, and we need to be able to continue to provide staff for that,” said Denise Addis, vice president of the cardiovascular service line.

As COVID-19 cases continue to skyrocket around the region and ICUs are pushing capacity, healthcare workers are hoping this takes pressure off critical coronavirus care.

One doctor who received the vaccine Friday said she encourages anyone who can get vaccinated to do it in order to halt the spread.

Excela is also distributing the vaccine at its other two locations in Latrobe and Frick Hospital in Mt. Pleasant.

First COVID-19 vaccines given at Excela Health