Hundreds of seniors benefit from COVID-19 vaccination program

GREENSBURG — In the past week, Channel 11 has highlighted how frustrating securing a COVID-19 vaccine appointment for people in Westmoreland County has been, especially for our community’s most vulnerable.

Because of these challenges, the United Way and Excela Health have teamed up to assist seniors through the process.

”We saw a need in the community with our older adult community who just aren’t able to schedule vaccines.”

The two organizations have formed a partnership to help people without access to the internet schedule their vaccination appointments.

“Our community partners are actually going in and scheduling the appointments for people, so that makes it a lot easier. And then the nice part is their second appointment is scheduled at the same time so we can make arrangements for transportation as well for that,” said Alyssa Cholodofsky, of the United Way.

Right now, the program is only offered to seniors who are already a part of the area Agency on Aging, United Ways’ Open Your Heart to a Senior Program or Laurel Area Faith in Action.

“Hoping that if we start small, we can figure out all the bumps in the road and be able to expand it to a larger population and also be able to expand it to people with disabilities,” said Cholodofsky.

Cholodofsky tells Channel 11 since the program launched, they’ve scheduled hundreds of appointments.

“We know there’s a lot of need, there’s a lot of people upset and frustrated. They haven’t been able to make an appointment, so we’re happy to be able to start this program,” said Cholodofsky.

Excela Health is freeing up some appointments specifically for those under the United Way program.

The United Way and Excela Health are hoping that once more doses are received, they can expand the program to a larger population.

Sign-Up Information

Excela Health Phone: 724-689-1690

Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

ExcelaHealth.org

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Cox Media Group