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UPMC Pinnacle, P.O. Box 8700, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8700

Over the weekend, the Food and Drug Administration issued emergency use authorization for a third COVID-19 vaccine, produced by Johnson & Johnson/Janssen.

While the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines require two doses, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is currently a one-dose vaccine. We are excited by this news and are working with federal and state officials to coordinate the amount of this third vaccine that will be available to us.

Although COVID-19 vaccine supplies remain limited, we look forward to continuing to expand our vaccination efforts in the communities we serve.

Who is getting the vaccine?

Under Pennsylvania's Phase 1a, people over 65 and people age 16-64 with medical conditions that put them at risk of COVID-19 complications are eligible for the vaccine.

With limited vaccine supply, UPMC has been focused on those most severely affected by the pandemic. This includes the oldest members of our communities and people who have limited access to medical care and services. This is an important step in reducing hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 and bringing the pandemic under control. We also are focused on partnering with community organizations to reach those with limited access to technology like computers, smartphones, and the internet.

UPMC continues to provide thousands of vaccines each week to frontline health care workers who are not associated with UPMC or another hospital or health system. This includes dentists, orthodontists, home health care workers, mental health professionals, and many more. And vaccines for community members are currently taking place at more than 20 UPMC clinics across the state.

Can I register to get the vaccine?

If you meet the Pennsylvania Department Health's Phase 1a criteria, you can register to receive a COVID-19 vaccine from UPMC at Vaccine.UPMC.com.

After registering, we will contact you to collect important health information in preparation for your vaccine, as well as to schedule an appointment when the vaccine is available.

Please note: We are asking that only people who meet Pennsylvania's criteria for Phase 1a sign up for the registry at this time. To find out if you are eligible, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health's website.

What else can I do?

UPMC continues to urge everyone in to protect themselves and prevent the spread of COVID-19. This includes wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, and washing your hands. These activities can prevent the spread of COVID-19 and save lives. It will be important to continue these prevention measures even after you receive a vaccine.

Visit UPMC.com/COVIDVaccine for more information, and sign up for MyPinnacleHealth to stay connected to your care.