A vaccine 'miracle'
Mar. 16—FARRELL — Dr. Erin Houston might be used to getting compliments, but the president and chief executive officer of the Shenango Valley Urban League didn't believe the praise she received Monday.
"Did you really say I created a miracle?" she asked Rev. Terry Harrison, pastor of Valley Baptist Church in Farrell.
"You bet I did," Harrison responded.
That miracle came in the form Monday of a drive-thru vaccination clinic for high-risk minority patients at the church. AHN Grove City hospital was set to hold the clinic but had to withdraw when it couldn't provide enough staff.
"That's when Dr. Houston hit the phones last week and called everyone she could think of to make it happen," Harrison said.
Walberg Family Pharmacies came through with its own staff, along with more than 200 vaccine doses. Recently retired nurses also offered their services.
"All I did was provide the coffee and doughnuts," Harrison said with a laugh.
The drive-through format allowed patients to remain in their warm cars on a blustery day when temperatures hovered in the low 40s.
"I thought the drive-through was well received," Houston said. "It was easier on people with mobility issues."
The average waiting time for an injection was around 10 minutes — swift compared to other regional clinics.
Houston credited her staff for helping out.
"This wasn't a one-person job," she said.
Like other clinics those receiving injections were asked to hang around for 15 to 20 minutes in their car to see if they developed any reactions.
Gladys Knight was among those who got vaccinated and said she didn't mind the wait. She brought her dog for company.
"I'm glad I came," Knight said.
