VENANGO CO., Pa. — On Thursday, October 21, Adagio Health, in partnership with United Way, will be holding a vaccination clinic in Franklin, Pa.

The clinic, located at 737 Elk Street, will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and available for anyone interested in getting their shot regardless of residency.

Everyone that receives their vaccine at this clinic will receive a $10 gift card for their first or second dose. This is made possible through a grant funded by the United Way of Pennsylvania.

Booster shots will also be available for eligible individuals.

Eligible individuals include:

• people 65 years and older and residents in long-term care facilities
• people aged 50-64 years with underlying medical conditions
• people aged 18 — 49 years with underlying medical conditions
• people aged 18 — 64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure due to occupational or institutional settings

Pfizer and Moderna will both be available for participants.

Individuals do not need to be a Venango County resident to receive the vaccine. Appointments are not required but are recommended and can be scheduled by calling 814-676-1811.

United Way of Venango County is committed to ensuring that all households are stable and that all children can thrive in Venango County. Every household should have access to systems and services that help them navigate times of crisis. Every family should have a safe home and the resources it needs to support a child’s healthy development. Every household should have adequate access to nutritious food, and individuals and families should be able to financially support and sustain themselves.

Meanwhile, rural communities continue to face challenges accessing the vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that, despite the fact that one-fifth of the population lives in rural communities, adult COVID-19 vaccination coverage was lower in rural counties (38.9 percent) than in urban counties (45.7 percent) overall.

Venango County finds itself in the middle of this spectrum with currently 40% of their population fully vaccinated and a large increase in COVID-19 cases. United Way is urging residents to receive their vaccines to help increase the safety of our family, friends, and neighbors.