Three-quarters of Allegheny Township's police force yet to be vaccinated

The covid-19 vaccination rate for Allegheny Township’s police force remains low despite officers having priority access to the free Pfizer vaccine, officials said.

Police Chief Duane Fisher told township supervisors this week that he knows of three officers — including him — who have received the vaccine so far. The department has nine full-time officers and four part-timers, so that means less than a quarter of the force has been vaccinated.

A fourth officer informed Fisher on Wednesday that he has scheduled an appointment to get the first dose of the two-shot vaccine, the chief said.

“I would prefer everyone to be well-protected as a public servant, but I understand their concern to some extent because the vaccine has not gone through a traditional approval process,” Fisher said.

Township Manager Greg Primm added: “As an employer, we can’t require any employee to take the vaccine. It’s individual choice only.”

Fisher said Allegheny Valley Hospital officials reached out to him in January, offering to facilitate the vaccination process.

Fisher, who tested positive for covid-19 in December and fully recovered, said he received the two-shot vaccine and didn’t experience any ill effects.

Allegheny Township police Sgt. Dan Uncapher, vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police Allegheny Valley Lodge 39 and union representative for the township’s department, said vaccination literature from the state Department of Health has routinely been provided to township employees.

As for deciding whether to get a vaccine, Uncapher said, “It’s a personal choice. Each officer has to make an informed decision based upon the health of themselves and their family. The Department of Health hasn’t mandated anything yet. The main issue here is we live in America and we have freedom of choice.”

Uncapher declined to say whether he got the vaccine.

Scott Bohn, director of operations at the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, did not return calls requesting comment.

Fisher said he’s willing to help any officer schedule a vaccination.

“I told them I’m still reaching out to help them find opportunities to find it on their own, which is what they have to do now,” Fisher said.