WellSpan Health today announced the system’s 100,000th vaccine was administered in York County. The milestone is marked with the expansion of WellSpan’s vaccination plans to ensure every community member in South Central Pennsylvania has equitable access to the shot of hope.
In addition to the health system’s 22 existing vaccination sites, located at its hospitals and medical practices, two new approaches are underway to reach even more members of the community.
The first is through a mobile vaccination team whose efforts are focused on bringing vaccine to areas where there is a concentration of at-risk persons.
“We’ve been hosting conversations with community leaders and volunteers since last fall to identify reasons behind vaccine hesitancy, barriers to vaccine distribution and, together, develop solutions,” said Ann Kunkel, RN, BSN, Vice President of Community Health and Engagement. “The mobile teams provide vaccines on site at community locations, like Crispus Attucks, to reach individuals with an increased risk of COVID-19 or barriers to obtaining a vaccine.”
The second expansion effort is through partnerships with five counties to open larger COVID-19 vaccination sites to provide hundreds of thousands of vaccinations for community members in the coming months. Appointment scheduling will be announced when available. Opening dates will depend on vaccine allocation from the PA Department of Health.
The vaccination locations include:
- Adams County – Dept. of Emergency Services, 230 Greenamyer Lane, Gettysburg, PA 17325
- York County – The Crossroads Shopping Center (former AC Moore store location), 351 Loucks Road, York, PA 17404
- Lebanon County – 1745 Quentin Road #7699 (former K-Mart location), Lebanon, PA 17042
Other locations will be shared as agreements are finalized.
“We know opening larger vaccination sites is just one strategy in expanding access to vaccine,” said Roxanna Gapstur, PhD, RN, President and CEO. “We remain committed as a trusted partner in providing equitable access using a variety of strategies to meet the needs of all people in our communities. The milestone of 100,000 vaccines demonstrates the power of WellSpan’s commitment to every member of our community who wishes to receive a vaccine.”
The health system’s existing vaccination sites, located at its hospitals and medical practices, will continue to operate, in addition to the new sites announced today and the vaccination site opening in Lancaster County at the Park City Mall complex – a partnership between Lancaster County and four health systems (WellSpan, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, Penn State Health and UPMC).
Community members are encouraged to visit WellSpan.org/covid19/covid-19-vaccine to learn more about WellSpan’s vaccination process. Create a MyWellSpan account and complete an online questionnaire to be notified as appointments become available (based on eligibility and vaccine supply).
WellSpan also is seeking clinical and non-clinical people to staff the Community COVID-19 Vaccination Sites. Both volunteer and paid positions are available. Learn more at WellSpan.org/covid19/i-want-to-help.
