By SHANNON O. WELLS
Pitt’s Vaccination & Health Connection Hub, aka The Hub, will offer an expanded array of vaccination services for University faculty, staff, students and the general public beginning March 20.
In addition to COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, additional vaccines available at The Hub on the Fifth Avenue side of Nordenberg Hall, include:
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shingles
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pneumococcal
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tetanus
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mpox (formerly known as monkeypox)
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high-dose flu (65 and older)
Immunizations are given based on age and health indications set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Hub follows CDC guidance for timing, dosage and age qualifications for all vaccinations, caring for patients starting at age 3.
Learn about adult and pediatric vaccination schedules and review CDC vaccine information sheets for the vaccines offered at The Hub, which was rebranded and reimagined from the former Pitt CoVax Center last fall.
Services offered at the Hub now include biometric screenings only for Pitt employees who have UPMC health insurance through the University of Pittsburgh. Employees can get health incentive dollars for completing biometric screenings for blood pressure, height/weight BMI, fasting cholesterol panel and blood glucose levels.
For faculty and staff who have completed a pre-travel health consultation, the Hub will offer travel vaccinations this spring. Other Comprehensive Medication Management services available to Pitt employees with UPMC health insurance include diabetes prevention, high blood pressure education, help with quitting smoking and medication reviews.
The Hub also can refer employees to a primary care physician.
Melissa Somma McGivney, associate dean for community partnerships in the School of Pharmacy, said the expanded vaccines and services are a positive step as the COVID pandemic moves into a new phase.
“Our team at The Hub is excited to be able to bring new services to the Pitt community,” she said. “At the same time, we’re continuing to provide COVID-19 and flu vaccines to not only our campus but also our neighbors throughout this next phase of the pandemic.
“We will be able to offer weekly biometric screenings year-round to all Pitt employees with UPMC insurance, which we hope will increase accessibility to some employee wellness incentives,” she added. “Our expanded adult vaccinations should make catching up on vaccinations easy and accessible.”
The Hub is open to the public. Walk-ins are welcome subject to availability, but appointments are preferred.
For more information, call 412-383-4372 or email TheHub@pitt.edu.
Shannon O. Wells is a writer for the University Times. Reach him at shannonw@pitt.edu.
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