Philadelphia opens second COVID-19 mass vaccination clinic in Juniata neighborhood

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) – The Philadelphia Department of Public Health on Thursday opened its second of three COVID-19 mass vaccination centers in the neighborhood for residents with appointments.

He is based at the Community Academy of Philadelphia Charter School in the Juniata section of the city.

Mayor Jim Kenney joined Health Commissioner Dr Thomas Farley with other leaders in touring the site ahead of its opening Thursday morning.

“The people invited here today are those who have gone to the government website and signed up for our vaccine interests database,” Farley said.

The plan is to vaccinate up to 400 people every day that the clinics are running, according to city officials.

RELATED: Vaccine Trackers for Pennsylvania and New Jersey

The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Older Adults clinic opened on Tuesday as the first center as part of this new effort to make vaccines more available.

A mix of people living nearby and others from across town were receiving the vaccine.

“So far I would say we haven’t vaccinated enough people to change the course of the epidemic. But soon we will,” Farley said.

These locations are open to Philadelphia residents who had appointments and fall under Phase 1B.

When it comes to getting appointments at these sites, city officials say you must first fill out the Vaccine Interest Form on the Philadelphia Department of Health website or call 311.

For some, that meant having an extra helping hand to help with the process online.

“We’re not really good at computers, so I had to ask my daughter to help us,” said Rita Flynn of Northeast Philadelphia. She and her husband, Joe, who have been married for 47 years, both received their first injection on Thursday.

After that, when it is your turn to receive the vaccine, you will be notified by email or phone to make an appointment.

On Saturday, another community vaccination site will open in West Philadelphia at the University of Science.

Message from the City of Philadelphia:

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is providing the COVID-19 vaccine to all residents of Philadelphia. Unfortunately, there is not enough vaccine in the city at the moment for all who want it. The health department must therefore ensure that those most exposed to COVID can access it first. Completing this form will let the Department of Health know that you are interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and ensure that those at highest risk can get it first. If you are unable to complete this form, please call the Department of Health at (215) 685-5488 or email [email protected].

SEE ALSO: FEMA to Open Mass Vaccination Site at Pennsylvania Convention Center