Statewide COVID-19 mobile vaccination clinic to help provide vaccines to underserved communities

PENNSYLVANIA — Starting next week, Pennsylvania residents will be able to sign up for the newest way to get their COVID-19 vaccine.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced a partnership with Latino Connection and Highmark Blue Shield on Monday to launch the first statewide COVID-19 Mobile Vaccination Clinic to provide vaccinations and education for minority and underserved communities.

If you want a vaccine, you can visit this website or this Facebook page to pre-register for an upcoming vaccination event near you. A total of 120 mobile vaccination events will take place across the commonwealth, and stops will be added to the website as they are confirmed. Social distancing and masking guidelines will be followed at all times at each tour stop.

“The department has worked across state agencies and with external partners, including Latino Connection and Highmark Blue Shield, to identify vulnerable populations for whom receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is especially critical,” Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam stated. “This partnership is another successful example of our health equity efforts to ensure Pennsylvanians, no matter where they live or what language they speak, will have access to COVID-19 vaccinations. It also will help combat vaccine hesitancy, as trusted nurses will be able to provide patients with factual, take-home educational materials about the COVID-19 vaccines.”

Latino Connection will use mobile units to conduct a statewide vaccination and education tour. One unit, called CATE (Community-Accessible Testing and Education), was used in fall 2020 for a mobile COVID-19 testing tour. All units are equipped to conduct COVID-19 vaccinations on-site through a mobile vehicle while educating the public on how to stay healthy and safe.

Additionally, 100 educational table-top events will take place in corner stores, and bodegas in key locations where individuals who do not have access to the internet or who need assistance will pre-register for a vaccination event in person will be provided with educational materials in both English and Spanish.

“The start of the statewide mobile unit vaccination and education tour comes at a critical turning point in Pennsylvania’s vaccine rollout,” Acting Secretary Beam said. “Starting tomorrow, April 13, everyone in Pennsylvania 16 and older will be eligible to schedule an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine. What that means for this tour is a simpler process in ensuring everyone who wants a vaccine can get one when the mobile units come to their community.”

For more information about Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 vaccination program, visit the Department of Health’s website.

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