Excela Health is currently offering the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. The
Moderna vaccine is available for anyone over the age of 18 and the Pfizer
vaccine is available for individuals age 12 years and older. In order
to make your immunization experience as efficient as possible, a vaccination
appointment is recommended.
Booster Doses
In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations, Excela
Health will provide COVID-19 boosters for those who have received their
second dose of the Pfizer vaccine more than six months ago AND meet one
of the following criteria:
65 years of age and older
18 to 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID-19
18 to 64 years of age with an occupation that puts them at high risk of
occupational exposure to COVID-19.
At this time only the Pfizer vaccine has been approved to be give as a
booster dose.
Third Dose Available for Immunocompromised Vaccinated Individuals.
In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations, Excela
Health offers a third vaccine dose to those people whose immune systems
are moderately to severely compromised. This dose can be administered at least four weeks (28 days) after an initial
two dose mRnA series and should be the same type of vaccine (Pfizer or
Moderna) that was initially received. If you are unsure if you need a
third dose, please contact your physician.
To schedule your Pfizer or Moderna third dose,
CLICK HERE.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Individuals 12 Years of Age and Older
Excela Health is offering Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations to those age 12
and older. We are also offering the Pfizer third dose, currently approved
for use in those who are immunocompromised and are 12 and older, at least
28 days after their second dose. Please contact your physician if you
have specific questions.
To schedule a vaccine appointment for someone 12 and older,
CLICK HERE.
If you do not have computer access you may schedule an appointment by dialing 724-689-1690between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Please note that
this phone line WILL NOT ACCEPT MESSAGES or make return calls to individuals
requesting information or appointments.
The Excela Health Vaccine Clinic (Norwin location) is located at 8885 Norwin
Avenue, North Huntingdon, PA 15642 (formerly Galaxy Fitness).
REQUIRED PAPERWORK: An immunization consent form will need to be completed by everyone wishing
to receive a vaccine. Anyone under 18 must have their consent form filled
out by a parent or guardian.
To print and fill out the authorization form, click here. Parents and guardians may accompany their children under age 18 to the
clinic but are not required to do so provided the child brings a completed
authorization form. All individuals (including children) receiving vaccination
should bring a state-issued ID as well astheir medical/prescription insurance
to the clinic if available.
There is no out of pocket cost to anyone receiving the vaccine (regardless of whether they have insurance). Anyone presenting without
an insurance card will still receive a vaccine.
Please fill out the scheduling information in its entirety. You will receive
an email once you schedule, confirming your appointment date and time.
What happens next?
Once you have scheduled an appointment for the first dose of vaccine, you
will be automatically scheduled for the second dose.
Individuals receiving a third dose or a booster dose of the immunization
will only be scheduled for one appointment. If you cannot make your scheduled
appointment, you must cancel your appointment.
On the day of your appointment, you will need to present to the vaccine
clinic with your insurance/Medicare cards and driver’s license /official
picture ID in order to validate your identity and age.
For a second dose, third dose or booster appointment, please bring your
COVID-19 Vaccination Card.
Please do not call our facilities or your Excela provider office to schedule
an appointment. Utilize the link or phone number above.
PA COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Plan
Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) Fact Sheets for COVID-19 Vaccine:
To view the Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers Emergency Use Authorization
(EUA) of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine to Prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019
(COVID-19) in Individuals 18 Years of Age and Older,
click here.
To view the Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers Emergency Use Authorization
(EUA) of the Pfizer-Biontech COVID-19 Vaccine to Prevent Coronavirus Disease
2019 (COVID-19) in Individuals 12 Years of Age and Older,
click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: I am not able to make my second appointment. How do I reschedule?
Answer: The current system will not allow you to reschedule your second appointment.
Once you have received your first shot, if unable to make the scheduled
appointment you may present at the Excela Vaccine Center during another
clinic day in the future to receive your vaccine as long as you received
the first vaccine from Excela. Please call to verify the hours of the
Vaccine Center at
724-689-1690.
Question: What vaccine are you giving?
Answer: At this time, Excela health administers the Moderna and the Pfizer vaccines.
Question: When will my second dose be due?
Answer: For the Moderna vaccine, it is recommended that you receive your second
dose four weeks after your initial dose. For the Pfizer vaccine, it is
recommended that you receive your second dose three weeks after your initial dose.
Question: If I need a third dose due to being moderately or severely immunocompromised,
when should I schedule that?
Answer: If you are in need of a third dose due to being moderately or severely
immunocompromised, it should be scheduled no earlier than 28 days after
your second dose.
People are often moderately to severely immunocompromised due to a medical
condition, or receipt of immunosuppressive medications or treatments.
This includes people who have:
Active treatment for solid tumor and hematologic malignancies
Receipt of a solid-organ transplant and taking immunosuppressive therapy
Receipt of CAR-T-cell or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (within 2 years
of transplantation or taking immunosuppression therapy)
Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome,
Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
Advanced or untreated HIV infection
Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids (≥20mg prednisone or
equivalent per day), alkylating agents, antimetabolites, transplant-related
immunosuppressive drugs, cancer chemotherapeutic agents classified as
severely immunosuppressive, tumor-necrosis (TNF) blockers, and other biologic
agents that are immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory
Question: If I am immunocompromised and want a third dose - do I need a doctor’s
note or prescription?
Answer: A physician order is not required. Immunocompromised individuals may self request a vaccine. If you have any
questions, please discuss with their health care provider whether getting
an additional dose is appropriate for them. This will help ensure there
are not additional barriers to access for this vulnerable population receiving
a needed additional dose. CDC is providing further information regarding
vaccine administration to immunocompromised individuals to states, pharmacies,
health centers, and all vaccine providers. Please bring your COVID Vaccination
Card so your third dose can be documented.
Question: When am I eligible for a
booster dose?
Answer: Only individuals who received Pfizer are eligible for a booster dose at
this time. You are eligible for a booster dose if you have received your
second dose of the Pfizer vaccine more than six months ago and meet one
of the following criteria:
65 years of age and older
18 to 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID-19
18 to 64 years of age with an occupation that puts them at high risk of
occupational exposure to COVID-19.
Question: If I want my booster shot - do I need a doctor’s note or prescription?
Answer:A physician order is not required. Please bring your COVID Vaccination Card so your booster dose can be documented.
Question: Can I get my flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine shot on the same day?
Answer: Yes. The CDC offers the following information regarding administering
both influenza and the COVID-19 vaccine at the same visit:
“If a patient is eligible, both influenza and COVID-19 vaccines can
be administered at the same visit, without regard to timing as recommended
by CDC and its Advisory Committee on Immunizations Practices (ACIP). If
a patient is due for both vaccines, providers are encouraged to offer
both vaccines at the same visit. Coadministration of all recommended vaccines
is important because it increases the probability that people will be
fully vaccinated. It is also an important part of immunization practice
if a health care provider is uncertain that a patient will return for
additional doses of vaccine.” Learn more
Question: Can I just walk-in to the clinic or must I have an appointment?
Answer: An appointment is recommended. Walk-ins will be vaccinated as well.
Question: Can I call the Vaccine Registration Line to ask my questions about COVID
or vaccination?
Answer: The Vaccine Registration Line is only able to schedule appointments. You
will need to call your primary care provider or access the
PA Department of Health or
CDC websites for additional information regarding both the COVID-19 virus
and the vaccines.
Question: Do I need to receive the same brand of vaccine each time?
Answer: It is recommended that you receive your first, second and third (if needed)
dose of the same type. If you are unable to find a site offering your
type of vaccine, it is recommended that you receive a vaccine of any type
instead of not being vaccinated.
Question: I have had COVID and am now asymptomatic. Can I still receive a vaccine
and make an appointment?
Answer: Yes, it recommended that even if you have had COVID that you are vaccinated.
You need to wait until you are asymptomatic before being vaccinated.
Question: I was recently diagnosed with COVID. Can I still come for my vaccine?
Answer: You MAY NOT present for a vaccine while still in quarantine for COVID.
Once you are asymptomatic, you should schedule an appointment to be vaccinated.
Any questions should be discussed with your provider.
Question: What are the most common side effects after getting the COVID-19 vaccine?
Answer: After getting vaccinated, you may have some side effects, which are normal
signs that your body is building protection. The most common side effects
are pain and swelling in the arm where you received the shot. In addition,
you may have fever, chills, tiredness, and headache. These side effects
may affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away
in a few days.
Question: Do I still need to wear a mask after I’ve been vaccinated?
Answer: Yes. To protect yourself and others, follow these recommendations:
Wear a mask over your nose and mouth
Stay at least 6 feet away from others
Avoid crowds
Avoid poorly ventilated spaces
Wash your hands often
Question: How long does protection from COVID-19 last?
Answer: We don’t know how long protection lasts for those who are vaccinated.
What we do know is that COVID-19 has caused very serious illness and death
for a lot of people. If you get COVID-19, you also risk giving it to loved
ones who may get very sick. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is a safer choice.
Experts are working to learn more about both natural immunity and vaccine-induced
immunity. CDC will keep the public informed as new evidence becomes available.
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