< PreviousSt. Clair Hospital News Seniors are among those who have been given the highest priority in Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout. However, between the high demand and short supply of vaccine doses, many seniors have found it difficult to secure a vaccination appointment. For those who don’t use computers or drive, securing a vaccine has proven to be near impossible. That includes many seniors residing at senior residences. Thanks to St. Clair Hospital, a number of area senior residences have been getting vaccines brought right to them. St. Clair Hospital staff have been visiting the residences over the past couple of months and, as a result, seniors who may have found it difficult to secure a vaccine on their own are now protected. Among the very first senior residences that St. Clair visited to hold a vaccine clinic was Goodwill Manor in Bridgeville. Hospital staff visited the residence Feb. 5 and administered shots of the Pfizer vaccine to 64 residents. Pamela Stein, the facility’s property manager, says that up until then very few of her residents had been able to receive a vaccine. She says those who had were fortunate to rely on family members to register them and get them to their appointments. Stein says that she had many people approaching her and asking how they could go about getting a vaccine. She didn’t have an answer for them until St. Clair Hospital contacted her in January and offered to hold a clinic. Stein jumped at the opportunity. At that clinic, G. Alan Yeasted, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer emeritus at St. Clair Hospital, administered 64 doses of the vaccine. Yeasted said that two weeks after injection, the vaccine would provide recipients with 75% effectiveness against the virus. He said that protection would jump to 98.5% effectiveness following the second dose. Those at the Feb. 5 clinic received their second dose Feb. 26. The vaccine shots are not only life saving, but also potentially life changing. Even though experts advise that people shouldn’t alter their behavior once they receive a vaccination, the shots do mark some light at the end of what has otherwise been a very long and dark tunnel. “Many of these people haven’t seen their children or grandchildren in a year now,” said Yeasted. “It’s going to make a great difference for these elderly people and their families. Hopefully this is going to help us get through this pandemic.” Among those who received the vaccine Feb. 5 was Linda Pratt. Rather than relieved, however, Pratt said that she had actually been hesitant about getting the vaccine. Ultimately, though, she decided to go through with it in order to protect those around her. She said she also misses her family members and is looking forward to being able to travel to see them again. Bob Crytzer, St. Clair Hospital’s manager of hospital communications, says that between the vaccines administered at the on-site clinics for senior residences and vaccines it has administered at the hospital, St. Clair has vaccinated more than 10,000 people. Stein says that the pandemic hasn’t been easy on her residents. She says that they had to close down social spaces and enforce mask wearing. However, she says some residents have at times tried to find ways around those precautions. This vaccination will therefore provide her residents with an added layer of protection, she says. To date, Stein says the residence has been fortunate and only experienced a single case of COVID-19 among residents. Visit stclair.org for the latest information on COVID-19 vaccinations. St. Clair brings live-saving vaccines to vulnerable seniors G. Alan Yeasted, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer emeritus at St. Clair Hospital, administers the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine to Linda Pratt at Goodwill Manor on Feb. 5. STORY AND PHOTO BY ALLEGHENY WEST MAGAZINE 30 • Allegheny West Magazine • March/April 2021SAFER KINDER FASTER DONʼT DELAY EMERGENCY CARE Emergencies happen even in uncertain times. Don’t risk your health by putting off needed medical care, especially when you have access to the region’s only hospital to be awarded an ‘ A’ grade for patient safety for more than 8 consecutive years. Our emergency room utilizes the latest protocols to get you well — and keep you safe — so that the healing starts the second you arrive, all at a hospital that’s a national leader in patient satisfaction. So don’t wait. Get the care you need now. Safer, kinder, faster. 1000 BOWER HILL ROAD • MT. LEBANON, PA 15243 • 412.942.4000 • STCLAIR.ORGPRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID PITTSBURGH PA PERMIT NO. 5605 Hughey Publications, LLC P.O. Box 220 McDonald, PA 15057 Now in Our 21 st Year Proudly Serving the Airport Area Allegheny West MagazineNext >