“Wherever you go, the vaccine’s always free. No one should be charging people for any of the service when they get the vaccine.”
Category: COVID-19
PA Department of Health Identifies Community Health Net as “Best-in-Class Equity Performer”
COVID-19 vaccinations on par or in greater proportions to county racial/ethnic minority.
Erie, Pa. – April 28, 2021 – Community Health Net (CHN), the leading Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) serving the Lake Erie region, announced it was named “Best-in-Class Equity Performer” by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The designation, issued by Parker Beene, Executive Advisor, Secretary of Health, states that CHN facilities are vaccinating on par or in greater proportions to Erie County’s racial/ethnic minority populations. The conclusion is an affirmation of Community Health Net’s efforts to distribute doses of the COVID-19 vaccine throughout the region equitably.
“This recognition is aligned with our mission to improve the quality of life in our region by providing professional healthcare services with compassion, respect, and dignity to all,“ said Craig Ulmer, CEO of Community Health Net. “It highlights the success, tremendous work, and positive impact of distributing vaccines equitably to our community by the CHN team during this public health crisis.“
To distribute its Moderna supply equitably, Community Health Net focused on reaching out to minority populations through dialogue and engagement with community leaders and influencers. The health center also used targeted efforts through flyers, mailings, and other media channels to inform individuals while providing easy access to online registration for the vaccine. Additionally, CHN maintained open communication channels with state and federal agencies while providing consistent availability to community members throughout the crisis.
“We are proud of Community Health Net and excited by this designation and what it means for the people of Erie. It is a testimonial to the resolve of our health centers to help ensure equitable health outcomes for all of our communities,” said Cheri Rinehart, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers. The organization is the state primary care association (PCA) for community health centers, serving more than 900,000 patients annually at 300-plus sites in underserved rural and urban areas. “This finding is reflective of our commitment to provide affordable, quality health care for all by supporting the largest network of primary health care providers in the commonwealth.”
We Want to Ease Your Mind about the J&J Vaccine Pause with Facts.
With the pause of the Johnson & Johnson Vaccine – we want to ease your mind a bit with some facts around the pause:
- 6 people out of 6.8 million who received the J&J vaccine developed a blood clot.
- All were women who developed blood clots.
- 1 woman died from it.
- In all the women, the blood clots developed 6 to 13 days after receiving the vaccine.
- Signs of developing a clot are severe headache, pain in your abdomen or legs, shortness of breath.
- If you develop any of the above signs within 3 weeks after receiving a J&J vaccine, see your doctor immediately and inform him or her that you received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
- Your doctor needs to know you received the J&J vaccine because if you do have a blood clot, your doctor will treat it differently than other clots.
- Do NOT hesitate to see your doctor or go to the ER, regardless if your female or male.
For more information, visit the CDC website.
Gov. Wolf and COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force Announce Plan to Vaccinate Teachers, Other School Staff
As part of the priority to safely and quickly get more students back in the classroom, Governor Tom Wolf and the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force today announced that Pennsylvania will use the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) single-dose COVID-19 vaccine for PreK-12 teachers and other school staff.
The governor was joined by task force members Sen. Art Haywood, from the Senate Democratic Caucus, Rep. Bridget Kosierowski from the House Democratic Caucus, Sen. Ryan Aument from the Senate Republican Caucus, and Rep. Tim O’Neal from the House Republican Caucus.
“This new single-dose vaccine adds another layer of support to get students and teachers back in the classroom,” Gov. Wolf said. “Teachers and staff who work with our children will be vaccinated, and I commend the task force and all of our partners for their tremendous commitment to their schools and communities.”
Read more: http://bit.ly/308Oisf
160 Vaccinated Against COVID-19 at Girard High School
Community Health Net secured COVID-19 vaccines and administered shots to 160 teachers and the Girard School District’s support staff on Wednesday morning during a Girard High School vaccination clinic. The number also included patients of the Community Health Net’s Girard School-Based Health Center. They were part of Phase 1A in the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s vaccine distribution plan. Erie News Now reported the story:
“A COVID-19 vaccination clinic took place Wednesday at Girard High School. About 80 teachers and support staff who are part of Phase 1A in the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s vaccine distribution plan received the vaccine Wednesday morning. The Girard School District has a longstanding partnership with Community Health Net, which secured the vaccines and administered the shots. In addition, approximately 80 Girard community members who are part of Phase 1A – and patients of Community Health Net – will receive the vaccine on Wednesday afternoon. All available appointments have been filled and walk-ins are not permitted. Event organizers say having a clinic in Girard will be more convenient for residents than having to drive to Erie to receive the vaccine.” ~ Erie News Now
Thank you, Erie News Now for your coverage of this important event.
To view the entire story: http://bit.ly/3aRGXn5
Latest CDC Mask Requirements
The CDC recommends that people wear masks in public settings, at events, gatherings, and anywhere they will be around other people. Effective February 2, 2021, masks are required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
Wear a Mask that
- Has two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric.
- Completely covers your nose and mouth.
- Fits snugly against the sides of your face and doesn’t have gaps.
- Has a nose wire to prevent air from leaking out of the top of the mask.
Don’t Wear a Mask that
- Are made of fabric that makes it hard to breathe, for example, vinyl.
- Has exhalation valves or vents that allow virus particles to escape.
- Are intended for healthcare workers, including N95 respirators.
How to Wear a Mask
- Be sure to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before putting on a mask.
- Do not touch the mask when wearing it. If you have to often touch/adjust your mask, it doesn’t fit you properly, and you may need to find a different mask or make adjustments.
- Do NOT wear your mask on your forehead, around your neck, on your chin, under your nose, or only on your nose.
- Scarves, ski masks, and balaclavas are not substitutes for masks.
- Face shields are NOT recommended.
How to Clean your Mask
- Reusable masks should be washed regularly. Always remove masks correctly and wash your hands after handling or touching a used mask.
- Include your mask with your regular laundry.
- Use regular laundry detergent and the warmest appropriate water setting for the cloth used to make the mask.
- Use the highest heat setting and leave it in the dryer until completely dry.
Wear a mask to keep your community, family, and self safe! For more information about safe practices, go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html
PACHC Comments on Expanded Eligibility; Existing Supply of COVID-19 Vaccine Statewide
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2021
For more information, contact:
Amanda Tekely, Communications Manager
Phone: (717) 761-6443, ext. 205 / amanda@pachc.org
PACHC Comments on Expanded Eligibility; Existing Supply of COVID-19 Vaccine Statewide
HARRISBURG – Cheri Rinehart, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers’ (PACHC) responds to the announcement of the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to ensure that the nation’s hardest hit populations are receiving the vaccine by launching the first phase of the Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Program for COVID-19 Vaccination.
“We are excited that the Biden-Harris Administration recognizes the valuable role of FQHCs in providing primary care services, including vaccination, in underserved communities across Pennsylvania and across the country. Two-thirds of the population that FQHCs serve are living at or below the federal poverty line and 60% are racial and/or ethnic minorities, populations disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.”
“While we applaud the administration’s efforts, patience is still warranted because vaccine supply remains inadequate to meet eligibility and demand. According to the administration, the program to directly distribute vaccine to FQHCs will be slowly phased in, with limited supply. Initially, only 25 health centers across the country will receive direct distribution of vaccine, and none of these health centers is in Pennsylvania. The following several weeks, vaccine will be sent directly to 250 of the nation’s 1,400 FQHCs and we don’t yet know if that includes any Pennsylvania health centers.”
“Health centers across the Commonwealth are working diligently to meet the vaccination needs of their vaccine-eligible healthcare partners, patients, and community members, and are working to do so as quickly and as safely as possible within the constraints of current supply. Our goal is to help each health center meet the needs of the communities they serve.”
“As production and distribution ramp up, we look forward to offering vaccination to more eligible individuals and to continue doing our part to make Pennsylvania communities safer.”
“We urge anyone calling to inquire about scheduling for a COVID-19 vaccine to be patient as we all work to effectively manage the administration of vaccine. We are confident that the process will continue to improve as additional vaccine supply becomes available.”
About PACHC
The Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers (PACHC) is a statewide membership services organization representing Community Health Centers – the largest primary care network in Pennsylvania and the nation – rural health clinics and other safety net providers that care for more than 917,000 Pennsylvanians at over 330 delivery sites in rural and urban communities across the Commonwealth. Visit www.pachc.org or call 1-(866) 944-CARE to find a Community Health Center near you.
Community Health Net Receives Moderna Vaccine Shipment
Erie, Pa. – December 29, 2020 – Community Health Net (CHN), the leading Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) serving the Lake Erie region, announced that it has received its first shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine. Dr. Anthony Ignocheck, Acting Medical Director, Dr. Warren Beaver, and other clinical staff will receive the first distributed doses at the organization’s primary location, 1202 State St., on Tuesday, December 29, at 4 pm.
Community Health Net’s Acting Medical Director, Dr. Anthony Ignocheck, Dr. Warren Beaver, and other clinical staff will be the first to receive a dose of the just received Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine at the organization’s primary location at 1202 State St. on Tuesday, December 29 at 4 pm. Clinical staff, members of CHN’s Board of Directors, and Executives will be available for comment. The media is invited to attend. Social distancing rules will be in place.
“Families in our region have been ravaged by the COVID-19 virus, along with severe economic impact to our community,” said Craig Ulmer, CEO of Community Health Net. Based on evidence from clinical trials, the Moderna vaccine was 94% effective at preventing laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 illness in people without evidence of a previous infection. “We recognize this vaccine as an opportunity to irradicate this menace and restore vitality back to the place we call home.”
The media is invited to contact Community Heath Net for more information at 814.454.4530 x227
About Community Health Net
Community Health Net is the preeminent, community-focused healthcare network that advances the wellness of the region. Our mission is to improve our region’s quality of life by providing professional healthcare services with compassion, respect, and dignity to all. We are a Federally Qualified Health Center with six locations and eight offices serving the Lake Erie region for over 35 years.
Acknowledgment
This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $280,000 with 0% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.
Stop the Spread of COVID-19! (Get Screened)
What can you do?
Did you know that you can get screened for COVID-19 and Influenza and receive results in as little as 15 minutes? Taking this step is one important way you can begin to recover while protecting those around you. ????????, ?? ??? ???? ??? ??????!
Look for Symptoms
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- More Information
If you are feeling sick, why not call Community Health Net for influenza and COVID-19 screening at 814-455-7222, or look up your nearest location.
For more information, click this link: https://bit.ly/3jii05I, view our COVID Community Resource Guide, or visit the CDC.
This message brought to you by Community Health Net, Erie County Department of Health, and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
Stop the Spread of COVID-19! (Is Your Child Sick?)
What can you do?
Is your child feeling sick? Keep them at home and away from other children. Remember, COVID-19 is a real threat! Taking these steps is one important way you can protect those around you. If you’ve been in close contact (within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes) with someone with confirmed COVID-19, Get Tested! Together, we can Stop the Spread.
Look for Symptoms
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- More Information
If you are feeling sick, why not call Community Health Net for influenza and COVID-19 screening at 814-455-7222, or look up your nearest location.
For more information, click this link: https://bit.ly/3jii05I, view our COVID Community Resource Guide, or visit the CDC.
This message brought to you by Community Health Net, Erie County Department of Health, and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).