Posted: November 23, 2021 2:25 pm
The Johnstown Area Heritage Association (JAHA) is partnering with the Highlands Health Clinic to host a COVID vaccine clinic on Dec. 4 from 10:00 am-noon at the Heritage Discovery Center. Pediatric, first-dose, second-dose, and booster Pfizer vaccines will be available to any member of the public, free of charge. What’s more, anyone who receives a vaccine at the clinic will receive a free pass to the Heritage Discovery Center/Johnstown Children’s Museum that can be used on any day until January 31, 2022.
“The Heritage Discovery Center is in a good location for a vaccine clinic – it has a bus stop, as well as plenty of parking,” said Richard Burkert, president of JAHA. “There is a push to get children vaccinated in time for the holidays, and the CDC has just approved boosters for all adults. So it just made sense to have a clinic here – and we hope offering a fun day at the museum will help encourage people to come out.”
The clinic will be held from 10:00 am to noon in the Iron & Steel Theater of the Heritage Discovery Center, which has plenty of room for people to socially distance indoors while waiting in line. After registration, vaccines will be administered in a special private room above the cafe. Everyone who receives a vaccine will be provided with a pass to the museum, and children will also receive one extra pass for their accompanying parent/guardian. Highlands Health Clinic has arranged for a service dog to visit with the children while they wait. Volunteers from In This Together Cambria will help present activities such as coloring pages and crafts. Museum passes may be used immediately following the vaccine administration, or on a future day.
Online registration in advance is strongly encouraged to expedite the registration process. Walk-ins will also be accepted as doses permit. Pfizer vaccines will be available for ages 5 and up. Curbside vaccinations are available, as well as the pre-vaccination topical lidocaine.
Children and adults who receive their first Pfizer shot on Dec. 4 will be invited back to the Heritage Discovery Center for a follow-up clinic on Thurs., Jan. 6, from 5:00-7:00 pm, where they will complete the two-shot series.
Booster vaccines are now available to anyone over the age of 18 who received their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna more than six months ago, and for anyone over 18 who received Johnson & Johnson more than two months ago. According to the Center for Disease Control, people over the age of 50 or who are 18 and older with extenuating health conditions or concerns are especially encouraged to get their booster shots.