The Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) of Erie received its initial shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Monday morning. 

Vaccinations of Community Living Center (CLC) and frontline employees will begin this week. 

“After many months of planning efforts, we are thrilled to begin administering the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to our CLC residents and our health care personnel,” said John Gennaro, Erie VAMC Director. “Receiving the vaccine brings hope in the fight against COVID-19 for our Veterans, staff and community.”

Erie's VAMC is one of 113 VA Medical Centers in the United States to receive the first limited supply of the Modena vaccine. 

Sites were chosen based on prioritization determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the ability to store the vaccine at minus 20 degrees Celsius. 

Once more vaccine shipments arrive, Erie VAMC will notify high risk veterans. Pre-registration is not required. 

Some VA Medical Centers are also administering Pfizer's vaccine. 37 VA Medical Centers received the Pfizer vaccine last week and 15 additional VA facilities will receive shipments this week. 

LECOM Health Millcreek Community Hospital also received 600 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Monday morning.