Heritage Valley Health System E-Connections aims to increase community awareness of our services and locations. You can also stay connected by visiting our website or downloading the iHVHS App.
August 20, 2021
Heritage Valley Health System's E-Connections newsletter is moving to a bi-weekly distribution. Our next issue will be Friday, September 3, 2021.
Does Your Vaccine Need a Boost?

It seems as though you can’t turn on the television without hearing about the number of COVID-19 cases escalating, the Delta variant and now discussions regarding a booster COVID vaccine. We know that many of you have questions, so we thought we would try to provide a little clarity.  
Are You at High Risk?
At this time, the CDC is recommending that people who are severely immunocompromised receive a third dose or a booster dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. (The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is not yet authorized for an additional dose.) 
 
This group of patients is especially vulnerable to COVID-19 and is more at risk for serious, prolonged infections. Immunocompromised patients don’t always build the same level of immunity as non-immunocompromised people do, and it appears as though this group will benefit from an additional dose of the vaccine.
 
If you qualify for the booster vaccine dose, the CDC recommends waiting at least 28 days after receiving your second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. It is preferable that you receive the same dose (Pfizer or Moderna), but doses can be mixed if your original vaccine is no longer available to you. It is not necessary for your third dose to be administered at the same location as your original vaccines.

Beginning on August 23rd, if you are immunocompromised and want to receive a booster vaccine, please call 724-770-7555 to schedule your appointment through Heritage Valley Health System. The vaccines will be administered, by appointment only, at:
 
Robinson Township ConvenientCare (Next to DSW Shoes & PNC Bank)
2201 Park Manor Boulevard; Suite 200
Pittsburgh, PA 15205
 
Center Township ConvenientCare (Behind the Beaver Valley Mall)
79 Wagner Road; Suite 200
Monaca, PA 15061
 
Your Heritage Valley Primary Care physician may also be able to assist you with scheduling a booster. If you are not certain whether or not your medical condition qualifies you for a third vaccine dose at this time, please contact your healthcare provider. 
If You Are Not at High Risk...
At the present time, the CDC does not recommend a booster dose of the vaccine for those who are not immunocompromised. However, the CDC has recently announced that boosters for this group are set to begin in late September. These boosters should be administered eight months after your second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. (Again, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is not yet authorized for a booster dose.)
 
We will provide information about scheduling these vaccines through Heritage Valley Health System in an upcoming issue of E-Connections.
If You Have Not Yet Received a Vaccine,
Please Don’t Hesitate... Vaccinate!
Just like in football, the best defense is a good offense! We continue to strongly encourage everyone to get vaccinated, especially in light of the more contagious Delta variant. We are offering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for individuals ages 12 and up by appointment only at our Center Township ConvenientCare, which is located behind the Beaver Valley Mall in Monaca, and our Robinson Township ConvenientCare, located next to DSW Shoes and PNC Bank on Park Manor Boulevard.  

Please register online at heritagevalley.org or call 724-770-7555 for an appointment. Adult patients are asked to bring photo identification and health insurance information. For patients under the age of 18, a parent or guardian will need to sign a consent form at the time of vaccination and bring documentation (such as a copy of a birth certificate) showing the minor’s date of birth, along with health insurance information.

We are currently offering first-dose vaccines on the following dates & times:

  • August 26, 8:00am - 5:30pm (Robinson Township)
  • August 27, 8:00am - 7:30pm (Center Township)
  • September 1, 8:00am - 5:30pm (Robinson Township)
  • September 2, 8:00am - 7:30pm (Center Township)

Remember - widespread vaccination is critical to help stop the pandemic and return “back to normal.” And isn’t that what we all want? 

For vaccine information, click here.
For testing information, click here.