Mon Valley Independent to sponsor vaccine clinic Wednesday in Monessen

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include the link to register for the appointment-only clinic.

By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com

A Monessen native will return to his hometown Wednesday to host a COVID-19 vaccination clinic.
Anthony Bertola, owner and pharmacy manager of Pharmacy Care Primary Services, which has locations in West Mifflin, Kennedy Township and McKees Rocks, was born and raised in Monessen and wanted to give back to his community.
The appoinment-only clinic, which will be held at Epiphany of Our Lord Church hall in Monessen, is being sponsored by the Mon Valley Independent.
Bertola said his company has held several clinics over the past three months that have administered more than 7,000 shots.
“There are many local pharmacies and other facilities that have been committed to this venture of getting their residents vaccinated,” he said. “Unfortunately, the state has eliminated providers, which has made that more difficult.
“Fortunately, we have one site that is still in the game. And because I was born and raised in Monessen, and still have family ties and connections there, it was important to me to serve my hometown.”
Bertola and his wife, Jacki, said they want to ensure that shots are given to those who need them, but might not otherwise have access.
“We want to make sure that communities who are underserved or might not have the ability to travel to get vaccinated are able to feel protected,” she said. “We want to get in to communities who need us, and the perfect place to focus that effort is in Monessen and their surrounding communities.”
Link to register
To schedule and appointment and register, go to https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=21706529&appointmentType=21640820.
The link will allow Mon Valley residents who fall into Phase 1A to register for the clinic, which will begin at 11 a.m. in the church social hall. After selecting an appointment time, an email will be sent to the participant to fill out the required registration form.
About 300 doses will be available, and the number could increase if a shipment is delivered to the pharmacy before Tuesday.
Shots will be administered by pharmacy staff with help from Duquesne University pharmaceutical students.
The first dose of the Moderna vaccine will be given to those who register, as availability allows.
Phase 1A includes health care workers, residents of long-term care facilities, anyone over age 65 and those age 16 to 64 with certain health conditions.
Bertola said it was important to make sure people in his community are safe.
“It’s important to me to do something positive at home,” he said. “I might not physically be there anymore, but I have heart and deep roots in the Mon Valley and this was something important to me. I don’t have many opportunities to give back, so this has been very overwhelming for me.”
Naz Victoria, one of the owners of the MVI, said the organization was happy to sponsor an important event in the community.
“We are thrilled to be able to sponsor an event for our readers and residents to make sure they have access to vaccines,” he said. “We are thankful for this opportunity to sponsor this event and to do our part in making sure our readers and communities are safe.”