2 minute read
Vaccine Hunter
South Fayette volunteer helps book COVID-19 shots
By Andrea Iglar
For many people, booking an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine has been frustrating at best and impossible at worst.
That’s where Amy Price comes in.
Since Valentine’s Day, the South Fayette homemaker has spent countless hours securing vaccine appointments for more than 100 friends and relatives.
She also shares tips and resources on how to successfully book slots through online scheduling systems.
Ms. Price said people have been so grateful for her assistance that she will continue helping as long as needed.
“This is saving lives, and all it’s costing is some time,” she said.
Ms. Price’s volunteer effort began Feb. 14. While making heart-shaped pancakes for her children, she also managed to land a vaccine appointment for her aunt.
She went on to place five more appointments for older family members the same day.
“The absolute joy it brought them motivated me to continue going,” Ms. Price said.
Evan Price, 7, left, and brother Liam, 9, mark the 100th COVID-19 vaccine appointment March 4 that their mother booked for other people.The Prices created a Wall of Victory featuring names of people they helped.
Through word of mouth and Facebook, Ms. Price began helping other people, too— including four relatives of South Fayette resident Tricia Gibson.
“My family members were just shocked and in tears because they had been trying for over a month to get a shot,” Ms. Gibson said.
As of mid-March, Pennsylvanians eligible to receive a vaccine include health care workers, adults age 65 or older, and people 16 to 64 with certain high-risk conditions, with special arrangements to immunize teachers.
Ms. Price said the scheduling systems are puzzling and time consuming, and securing an appointment can be hit or miss.
But spending 10 to 15 minutes to learn the website quirks can pay off.
At first, Ms. Price spent about an hour securing each appointment; now, she usually books one right away at pharmacies such as Giant Eagle, CVS or Rite-Aid.
“I’m trying to train other people to be vaccine hunters too,” she said, encouraging anyone with computer savvy to learn the scheduling system and help their friends and family.
“As soon as you understand the system, you are going to get appointments,” she said. "It's worth taking the time to learn."
Ms. Price, of the Newbury neighborhood, has expanded her individual effort to include a 6-person team of helpers, with support from her husband, Bill, and her sons, third-grader Liam and first-grader Evan.
Meanwhile, Ms. Price is willing to help people who are struggling to get the vaccine.
“The more we get vaccinated," she said, "the safer we are.”
Volunteer vaccine hunter Amy Price of South Fayette has booked more than 100 COVID-19 vaccine appointments for family and friends.
Vaccine Resources
COVID-19 & Vaccine Links
southfayettepa.com/covid19
Getting Pittsburgh Vaccinated— COVID-19 Appointment Tip Page
facebook.com/groups/ gettingpittsburghvaccinated
Vaccine Hunter / Amy Price
vaccinehunterpgh@gmail.com
Allegheny Alert Vaccine Updates
alleghenycounty.us/alerts
PACE/PACENET Scheduling Help
1-800-753-8827 (members, age 60+)
1-800-225-7223 (non-members, 60+)
Area Agency on Aging Assistance - Allegheny County
412-350-4234
United Way Scheduling Help
2-1-1 (age 65+)
Phone Registration/Waiting Lists
Allegheny Health: 412-362-8677
UPMC: 844-876-2822
Walmart Clinics: 1-800-753-8827
Heritage Valley: 724-770-7555
Rite-Aid: 1-866-674-4659
Mercy Family Health: 412-697-3260
Veterans Affairs: 877-222-8387
Allegheny County Hotline
1-888-856-2774
PA Health Line
1-877-724-3258
Please note: These resources are valid as of March 2021.
