PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia’s newest COVID-19 clinic will open Wednesday on Temple University’s campus. Around 500 shots will be given every day, twice a week at the clinic located at James S. White Hall, just a few blocks north of the Liacouras Center.
On one of the two days, any eligible Philadelphian can sign up to get their shot. The other day is only for Temple students and faculty who live in the city and meet the current vaccine requirements.
“This is something we’ve been very interested in doing since the very beginning of vaccine becoming available,” said Mark Denys, Temple's senior director of health services, “and we’re very fortunate so that supplies are now enough that we get our own allocation to open up this clinic.”
The city is providing the shots and has all the say on appointments for non-Temple Philadelphia residents. The university sends out invitations for the student and staff appointments.
“There’s definitely been some confusion and some frustration trying to get the vaccine,” said Denys. "That’s why it’s great to be able to provide it here.”
Asked about the possibility of vaccinating students and faculty who don’t live in Philadelphia, Denys said he’d love to, but they are sticking with the city residents while supply remains limited.
There are currently six tables set up. The space inside is tighter than most vaccine clinics in Philadelphia, so this is appointment only. Walk-ins will not be taken. Denys said they can add a few more tables if need be.
After checking in at the entrance, there’s a screening room. And then patients go into the vaccine room to get their shot.
The 15-minute post-shot wait area is inside the actual dorm rooms, which currently aren’t being used.
The next appointment is scheduled before every patient leaves.
“Living through this pandemic, from setting up the search hospital at the Liacouros Center and setting up testing sites for the last 13 months,” added Denys, “being able to now be on the offensive instead of the defensive is a great feeling.”
He said he’s aware of the new vaccination requirements at Rutgers University, but doesn’t see Temple following suit.
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“Our position is we want as many people vaccinated as possible,” Denys said. “We’re going to highly encourage it, hopefully we can make an educational campaign and a real push vaccine once it’s available to everybody, but at this time there are no plans to make it required.”
So far, more than 6,000 people have filled out the university's interest form, which is a requirement for anyone who is interested in getting vaccinated at the clinic.