The city Department of Public Health on March 24 opened its seventh community-based mass vaccination clinic at Cannstatter’s, 9130 Academy Road.
The clinic will be open weekly.
On Tuesday, the city announced the following dates, all from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. unless noted: Thursday, April 1; Wednesday, April 7; Monday, April 12; Wednesday, April 21; Tuesday, April 27; Wednesday, May 12, 1 to 9 p.m.; Tuesday, May 18; and Wednesday, May 26.
Peter Jauss, president of the Cannstatter board, said the size of the club makes it ideal to be a coronavirus vaccine clinic.
“It’s important here in Northeast Philly to get the people vaccinated,” he said.
Mayor Jim Kenney said the FEMA clinic at the Pennsylvania Convention Center is faring well, but thanked Cannstatter’s for opening its doors for another, closer, option.
“I know that people like to stay in their neighborhoods,” he said.
Kenney urged people to fill out a form at phila.gov/vaccineinterest or call 311 so the health department can contact them when the vaccine is available.
Dr. Thomas Farley, commissioner of the city Department of Public Health, said local vaccine sites are needed because some people do not want to travel to the FEMA site in Center City. He said demand for the vaccine is greater than the supply, adding that coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in Philadelphia are on the rise.
Some 525 people received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine at Cannstatter’s on March 24, from 1 to 9 p.m. The vaccine was administered by members of the fire department and city Office of Emergency Management.
Fire Commissioner/OEM Director Adam Thiel said the 3,000 fire department and OEM workers are happy to be helping out, saying it’s part of their 24/7/365 job.
Councilman Bobby Henon thanked city officials for bringing a vaccine site to his district and Jauss and Cannstatter manager Pauline Mann for opening their doors.
“Northeast Philly welcomes it,” he said.
Henon also thanked Acme/Savon, Deluxe Pharmacy (8749 Frankford Ave.) and Rapoport Pharmacy (6934 Bustleton Ave.) for offering vaccines.
Henon and Acme teamed for a vaccine clinic March 10 and 31 and will hold another April 15 at Abraham Lincoln High School.
The councilman is looking forward to a time when the city can reach herd immunity so families can be reunited and the economy grows. He asks people to be ambassadors, urging their friends, family and neighbors to get vaccinated.
“You have to register with the city of Philadelphia’s health department,” Henon said, adding that people can call his office at 215-686-3444 for more information.
Meanwhile, the Archdiocese Catholic Housing and Community Services and Giant brought the Moderna vaccine to St. Katherine of Siena on Tuesday. About 100 people will return for their second dose on April 27. Giant interns attending pharmacy school at Temple and Duquesne administered the vaccine.
Henon referred some recipients, and Monsignor Paul Kennedy, the pastor, reached out to parishioners. The Giving Tree provided small care packages.
CHCS director Heather Huot said seniors can call 888-679-7669 for information on the vaccine process. The people whom the agency has assisted have been overjoyed to receive the vaccine.
“We’ve had people cry over the phone when they make an appointment and tearful that day when they come for the vaccine,” she said. “People say they finally have their freedom.” ••
