Pennsylvania Department of Health Acting Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson today visited the Bryce Jordan Center Vaccination Site in Centre County to address vaccine hesitancy and encourage college students to get vaccinated before the semester ends.
“As we see more people get vaccinated, we want to continue educating residents about the importance of getting a COVID-19 vaccine,” Dr. Johnson said. “We are encouraging students to take advantage of local vaccination sites on or near their college campus so they can protect themselves, their families, friends and loved ones from COVID-19, before returning home at the end of the semester. Our need to get people vaccinated is a race against the spread of COVID-19 and its variants, some of which are extremely contagious. We need to vaccinate all Pennsylvanians to prevent the further spread of this virus.”
Dr. Johnson’s visit to the Bryce Jordan Center vaccination site is another effort to educate individuals about the vaccine and help address their concerns. This location provides a unique opportunity for students because they can choose the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine or the two-dose Moderna vaccine.
“We believe that good information will help people make good decisions,” Dr. Johnson continued. “We recognize that it is critical for us to meet people where they are. We are working with local county leaders, influencers, medical professionals, and trusted messengers to ensure that our efforts represent the diversity of our communities as well as to provide the hyper local approach to addressing anyone’s concerns about the vaccine.”
College students returning home prior to receiving their second vaccine dose of a two-dose series should work with a provider in their community to get that second dose at the appropriate time, which will ensure they are fully vaccinated. Students should state that they cannot return to the same provider because of logistical challenges and remember to bring their vaccination card with them to their second dose appointment. The vaccines are not interchangeable, you must get the same vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) for each of the two doses in the series. To get the most protection, you must get both doses.
The department is encouraging vaccine providers to work with college students and others who may need to get vaccines in two different locations to ensure they are fully vaccinated. Beginning this week, providers will no longer be required to order a specific number of second doses of vaccine for administration. Instead, they will order a total number of doses they expect to administer as first or second doses. This will ensure providers have the vaccine they need for scheduled appointments and second dose requests.
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