UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Gov. Tom Wolf visited Penn State’s University Park campus today to join President Eric Barron, head football coach James Franklin and student-athlete Theo Johnson in urging Penn Staters and Pennsylvanians to get vaccinated for COVID-19. The four addressed the media from Pegula Ice Arena.
“Pennsylvania’s vaccine rollout is moving at a fast pace now that supply has increased and all Pennsylvanians over age 16 are eligible to receive the vaccine,” said Wolf. “When you get vaccinated, you are protecting yourself from serious illness, while protecting the people around you. That includes family members who are under 16, friends you want to see over the summer, and your fellow fans at sporting events – including football games in Beaver Stadium. I want to see stands here filled as much as you do, but to make it safe for all of us to come together again, we need more Pennsylvanians to get vaccinated.”
Barron noted that, at this point, just over 50 percent of Pennsylvanians have received their first dose of a vaccine.
“We are moving in the right direction, but we need to do better,” he said. “I urge everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated and to do so as soon as they can to help protect our community and those who cannot get vaccinated, such as children under age 16. Getting a vaccine is one of the easiest and best ways you can do something for your community.”
Franklin said that he’s encouraged by the governor’s announcement that the state is lifting mitigation measures, but echoed Barron’s sentiment that there is much work left to be done.
“We ask Pennsylvanians to continue to get vaccinated to help us begin a return to the activities we enjoyed prior to the pandemic,” Franklin said. “The more people who are vaccinated, the better chance we have to get back to our 107,000-strong in Beaver Stadium. Last season wasn’t the same without the support of our amazing fans at home and on the road.”
Barron, Franklin and Wolf all shared that they have received, or are in the process of receiving, their own vaccinations. Johnson, a first-year student-athlete and tight end on the Penn State football team, joined them in sharing his excitement at getting vaccinated.
“This past season we really missed the Penn State family cheering us on in Beaver Stadium,” Johnson said. “We ask everyone who’s able to get vaccinated to get a vaccine. I’m halfway through my own and I’m looking forward to my second dose.”
Wolf said 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, so that they can be 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. However, the vaccines are not interchangeable; individuals must get the same vaccine (brand name: Moderna or Pfizer) for each of the two doses in the series.
The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Department of Health established a Regional Vaccination Clinic at the Bryce Jordan Center that is offering both the two-dose Moderna vaccine and the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine from May 6 to 10. Starting May 13, the clinic will only offer the second dose of the Moderna vaccine and the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The clinic is open to anyone, regardless of county of residence, including out-of-state students. While appointments are encouraged, drop-ins are also welcome.
The Department of Health website features a map of vaccine providers, which includes hospitals, urgent care centers, doctor’s offices and pharmacies. Several pharmacies, Mount Nittany Medical Center and Centre Volunteers in Medicine are also administering vaccines in the Centre Region.
For more information on vaccine distribution, visit Pennsylvania’s vaccine website. The latest vaccination information for University community members is available on Penn State’s virus information website.