CARROLL TOWNSHIP, Pa) On Dec. 14, Monongahela Valley Hospital was among the first health systems in Western Pennsylvania to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. “In order to receive the vaccine in the first shipment, we met all of the qualifications mandated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” explained Margaret Brown, PharmD., director of Pharmacy at Monongahela Valley Hospital. “We have the ability to maintain the vaccine at the temperatures required and the capabilities to vaccinate the number of people stipulated within the designated time frame.” “We are thrilled that Monongahela Valley Hospital is at the forefront of helping to put a stop to the spread of this virus,” said Louis J. Panza Jr., the Hospital’s president and CEO. “Since the pandemic began, we have been vigilant to provide our staff with the proper personal protective equipment and to maintain a clean and safe environment. Having the ability to immunize our staff and physicians is another key action in keeping our community safe.” MVH received the Pfizer vaccine which is administered in two doses approximately 21 days apart. The Pfizer vaccine is 50% effective after the first dose and 95% effective after the second dose. (Photo courtesy of MVH. Douglas Prentice, Monongahela Valley Hospital’s storeroom manager, (L) takes delivery of one of Western Pennsylvania’s first shipments of COVID-19 vaccine from UPS personnel Bryan Johnson (C) and Stephen Burdelski (R).