Dauphin County Commissioners and UPMC Open COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic at Harrisburg Area Community College

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 22, 2021 -- The Dauphin County Board of Commissioners and UPMC announce the opening of a COVID-19 vaccination community clinic at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC).

The clinic is a collaboration among many departments, offices, and community partners. The first vaccination is expected to be given March 23 at 10 a.m.

UPMC will be providing vaccine and clinical staff for the initial days of operation.

“We extend a huge thank you to everyone who worked so hard on this mass vaccination effort, particularly UPMC who stepped up and provided vaccine and personnel essential to launching this clinic,” Dauphin County Commissioner Mike Pries said.

The drive-through clinic, located at HACC’s West Lot, will be open – by appointment only -- March 23 and 24 from approximately 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are plans to remain open for several weeks based on the supply of vaccines currently available from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Officials anticipate giving 1,700 first doses of the Moderna vaccine in the first two days.

“UPMC is committed to keeping its communities healthy and recognizes the essential role of COVID-19 vaccinations in that effort,” UPMC Pinnacle President Philip Guarneschelli said. “By partnering with county officials and Harrisburg Area Community College, we are able to offer the first UPMC drive through COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Dauphin County, expanding access to this life-saving vaccine.”

Individuals under the state’s identified Phase 1A criteria will be vaccinated. Invitations for the clinic are drawn from those eligible individuals who have registered with UPMC prior to the opening of the clinic. Only those individuals registered and contacted by UPMC for appointments will be vaccinated.

At the clinic, those with appointments drive up, confirm their appointment, receive the vaccine, and park for 15 minutes while UPMC nurses and lot attendants check on them. All community members stay in their vehicle the entire time unless prompted to do otherwise.

Individuals can register for future appointments online at vaccine.upmc.com.  A phone line is also available for those with limited Internet access or other barriers to online registration.

“This clinic will operate in accordance with state and federal guidelines and, of course, in line with all standard medical safety protocols and procedures,” Commissioner Chair Jeff Haste said.

Dauphin County Department of Public Safety, directed by Stephen Libhart, spearheaded the vast logistical effort on the county’s behalf.

“We have shared the frustration of so many residents in Phase 1A wanting to be vaccinated, but without enough available vaccine to have shots for everyone,” Commissioner George Hartwick said. “This clinic is another step toward putting this pandemic behind us.”

NOTE: If you have an appointment, please DO NOT arrive at the clinic more than 15 minutes early, or you will not be admitted in the site at that time.

For more information visit: https://www.dauphincounty.org/government/departments/public_safety/emergency_information_for_citizens/covid_vaccine_info/index.php.

COUNTY MEDIA CONTACT: Brett Hambright, Press Secretary, 717-780-6311; bhambright@dauphinc.org.
UPMC MEDIA CONTACT: Kelly McCall, Director of Public Relations, 717-576-2520; mccallkt@upmc.edu