LOCAL

A COVID-19 vaccination clinic is set to open soon in Franklin County

Amber South
Chambersburg Public Opinion

A community clinic that administers the COVID-19 vaccine will soon launch in Franklin County. 

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners and WellSpan Health are working together to open the vaccination clinic, according to a news release from the commissioners' office. 

Plans are still being finalized, but the location is expected to be announced soon. 

In choosing a location, officials considered accessibility, availability, access to public transportation to and from the site, and parking.

“A community vaccination clinic will provide easier access to vaccines for all Franklin County residents,” Commissioner Chairman Dave Keller said in the release. “We’re fortunate to have the partnership of our local healthcare system as we work together to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic."

“This clinic is an effort toward putting the pandemic behind us. It will help to give our residents peace of mind,” said Commissioner John Flannery.

More:Chambersburg students will return to school part-time as COVID-19 trends improve

Appointments have been limited

WellSpan Health and the county's other medical system, Keystone Health, provide information on their websites about registering for appointments and vaccine availability. Currently, vaccination appointments are only available if sufficient doses are in hand. 

To learn about appointments with WellSpan Health, go to www.wellspan.org/covid19/covid-19-vaccine/, or call the WellSpan COVID-19 Hotline at 1-855-851-3641.

For Keystone, go to keystonehealth.org/covid19vaccine/.

Local pharmacies have also been receiving shipments of the Moderna vaccine. They typically provide updates about appointment availability on their Facebook pages. 

Who can get a COVID-19 vaccine? 

Pennsylvania is still in the 1A phase, which includes: 

  • Healthcare personnel, EMS first responders, critical workers maintaining core functions and long-term care facility residents;
  • people ages 65 and older;
  • and people ages 16-64 with certain medical conditions, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that increase the risk of severe illness from the virus.

More:COVID-19 cases, deaths & hospitalizations are back around pre-spike levels in Franklin County

How many people have been vaccinated? 

As of Feb. 25, 6,100 Franklin County residents have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and 10,120 have received the first dose, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. 

Across Pennsylvania, 615,941 people have been fully vaccinated and just over 1.5 million have received one dose. 

Get free transportation to your appointment

Rabbittransit is offering free rides to any community member needing transportation to and from their scheduled COVID-19 vaccination appointment, according to the news release. Those interested in scheduling transportation to and from a vaccination site may call 1-800-632- 9063.

"Vaccinations are the key to returning to social and economic normalcy," stated Commissioner Bob Ziobrowski.