Weis Markets will begin administering COVID-19 vaccinations in 55 of its in-store pharmacies throughout Pennsylvania beginning Thursday, January 21.
Per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Pennsylvania Health Department guidance, Weis pharmacy staff will prioritize individuals 65 and older for COVID-19 immunizations.
To receive the vaccine, customers must schedule an appointment with a Weis certified immunizer at https://www.weismarkets.com/pharmacy-services.
Appointment sign-ups are available one day prior to the immunization, and a face covering is required. To ensure the effectiveness of the vaccine, Weis pharmacies will schedule customers for a second immunization four weeks after their first shot.
Jim Clark of Lewisburg has been waiting for his turn to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. When he found out Weis Markets offered the vaccination, a friend made him an appointment online at the store near Lewisburg.
"Apparently, they did it a couple of days ago, so we must have been right at the beginning when they first made these available," Clark said.
Weis Markets has a limited supply of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at 55 of its pharmacies in Pennsylvania. The pharmacy will prioritize people ages 65 and older.
Vaccinations started on Thursday. Demand for these vaccines is so high that people stopped by throughout the day to try and get a walk-in appointment.
"I'm in perfectly good health, but I'm not getting any younger, so I thought, 'Gee if they have them over there, I'm going to go get it.' it wasn't quite that easy," said Linda Treese.
Treese came to the pharmacy near Lewisburg to get a vaccine, but all of the appointments were filled.
"I think other people are, too, and it's not anyone's fault, but they're just not available."
Jim Clark made an appointment for his second dose of the vaccine and feels like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders.
"Big relief. I have been very paranoid about this for a long time, so big relief."