With the COVID vaccines in scarce supply, some Pennsylvanians have resorted to crossing state lines, driving to West Virginia and Ohio.
At the Village Pharmacy in Weirton, West Virginia, more than a thousand people have been vaccinated.
"In December, we were like the first in the nation to have the vaccine," said owner and Pharmacist Patsy Longhi.
Longhi says plenty of people have come from Pennsylvania. Not surprising, considering that West Virginia's vaccination rate has been much higher since December.
Related
"Pennsylvania residents weren't able to get it in Pennsylvania so, they found our location and they came down here," said Longhi. "We had quite a few from Green Tree and in north Pittsburgh, Wexford come down here."
Since the first vaccines were approved in December, West Virginia's vaccination rate has been much higher than ours. To date, the CDC reports that about 15.5% of Pennsylvanians have been vaccinated, compared to nearly 18% of West Virginians.
He's just trying to keep up with demand and hoping the new Johnson and Johnson vaccine will bring a big boost for business.
Related
"We're hoping, when more vaccine is available, that it'll open back up and we'll be able to have clinics seven days a week for whoever needs it because we certainly are willing and able and want to help people."
In addition to pharmacies, every county in West Virginia has its own vaccination clinic to streamline distribution, but you need to register ahead of time.