Allegheny Health Network Employees Get Coronavirus Vaccine

PITTSBURGH, PA — Allegheny Health Network frontline caregivers began getting Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine Friday, four days after employees of rival UPMC became the first in Pittsburgh to be inoculated.

The vaccine was given to workers across all network-affiliated hospitals.

“AHN is fully prepared to distribute the vaccine as quickly and efficiently as possible to those who are eligible in phase one, and ultimately to all individuals in the communities we serve once greater supplies are available,” Dr. Brian Parker, the network's chief quality control officer, said in a news release.

“While this process will take time, and require continued broad adherence to safety measures such as mask wearing and social distancing, we are excited to begin the first stages of this mass-vaccination effort which is key to bringing an end to the pandemic.”

The health network has acquired freezers at all of its affiliated hospitals to store the vaccine, and has established protocols allowing for the safe delivery of the vaccine at each facility. The Pfizer vaccine needs special freezers to keep it a temperature of minus-94 degrees.