Secretary of Agriculture: Free COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at Ag Progress Days – Governor Tom Wolf

Pennsylvanians encouraged to get vaccinated to protect themselves, their farms and neighbors

Pennsylvania Furnace, PA Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding was joined by Senator Jake Corman and Representative Emily Kinkead during a visit to a free vaccine clinic hosted by the Department of Health at Ag Progress Days in Centre County, Pennsylvania's largest outdoor agricultural exposition, today and encouraged rural Pennsylvanians to take advantage of similar opportunities occurring around the state.

"As we work to maintain a sense of normal and come back from the COVID-19 pandemic, it's clear that letting down our guard and not maintaining some controls of protection will come back to haunt us," said Redding. "Science tells us that the best protection against the COVID-19 virus is getting vaccinated. Pennsylvania is a leading state in the nation for rate of vaccination. I encourage anyone who has not yet said yes to take advantage of the multitude of free clinics around the state. From our rural plains to our city spaces, this is a layer of protection that will benefit you, your family, your community, and this commonwealth."

COVID-19 vaccines are the best way to protect against the virus, including new variants. Data shows that vaccines provide protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death.

At Penn State's Ag Progress Days, individuals are able to get the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine for full coverage in one dose. A small inventory of Moderna is also available, providing individuals who may have missed their second shot in a two-shot series a chance to be fully covered. At Ag Progress Days, the vaccine clinic is located between the College Building and Department of Agriculture building on West 10th Street.

"Our local health care providers throughout central Pennsylvania have done an amazing job of improving access and availability to vaccines in the community, and the vaccine clinic at Ag Progress Days is a great continuation of that effort," said Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman. "Agriculture is a vital component of our economy and maintaining a healthy workforce in the agriculture industry is critical to prevent food supply chain disruptions throughout the state and the nation."

Community vaccine events, like those being offered at Pennsylvania's state fairs, are critical to reaching the public and offering protection to all Pennsylvanians.

"COVID-19 massively disrupted our food supply chain harming our agriculture industry, shutting down food service, and causing far too many Pennsylvanians to experience food insecurity," said Representative Kinkead. "If we hope to get back to some semblance of normal, to address food access concerns across the state and help our struggling farmers, Pennsylvanians have to get vaccinated right now."

The Pennsylvania Department of Health urges Pennsylvanians to follow CDC guidance for wearing masks when required by law, rule and regulations, including healthcare, local business and workplace guidance. Pennsylvanians in counties with substantial or high transmission of COVID-19 should wear a mask indoors in public situations.

The Department of Health is working to ensure the vaccine is provided in a way that is ethical, equitable and efficient to all Pennsylvanians:

MEDIA CONTACT: Shannon Powers, Agriculture, shpowers@pa.gov

Mark O'Neill, Health, ra-dhpressoffice@pa.gov

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Secretary of Agriculture: Free COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at Ag Progress Days - Governor Tom Wolf