PITTSBURGH — Thousands of COVID-19 vaccine appointments are sitting unfilled in western Pennsylvania and providers are encouraging people to double check their eligibility.
“If you look 45 minutes outside of the city, an hour outside of the city, there are literally thousands of appointments just sitting there. No one’s claiming them,” Leighann Bacher said.
Bacher uses her Facebook page, Getting Pittsburgh Vaccinated, as a platform to connect people with appointments. She said there are lots of appointments if you look hard enough.
“Butler is one. Clarion, Westmoreland, Fayette. Armstrong is one that has a ton right now and they’re scrambling to fill slots,” she said.
Jen Salmans drove to Hempfield in Westmoreland County to get her shot. Now her two boys can see their grandparents for the first time in a year.
“It’s incredible for them. Just makes my heart melt that they can be back together giving them hugs and kisses,” she said.
If you’re an unpaid caregiver for an elderly adult, you qualify to get a vaccine. If your Body Mass Index is over 30 you’re also eligible.
“I really encourage people to check. Go on Google, there’s a calculator. Enter your height and weight and it turns out a number for you,” Bacher said.
She fears if unfilled appointments aren’t opened up to everyone, people will increasingly head across the border to Ohio or West Virginia to get the shot.
“We’re underestimating how many people are willing to go there. It’s going to be a lot,” she said.
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