JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WJAC) — Confusion over a new web appointment website had a lot of people in the Johnstown area calling 6 News Monday saying they scheduled an appointment for a COVID vaccine at Rite Aid, only to be told by store associates that the website wasn't real.
Viewers, including one we talked to on camera who did not want to be identified over possible repercussions, said after signing up this weekend through a link on riteaid.com, and receiving confirmation notices, were worried they had been scammed.
"This morning, first thing, I called the drug store and the lady said 'no, we don't do this and we don't have the vaccine." the viewer said. "The way you get an appointment is the government site."
Other viewers told us that pharmacists and associates at other stores also were not aware of the website or how it got there.
As of Saturday night, the Pennsylvania Department of Health's Vaccine Provider map listed a non-riteaid.com link to sign up for a vaccine at local locations.
6 News reached out to Rite Aid to get to the bottom of what was going on. It appears the scheduling page viewers were going through was launched over the weekend and a spokesperson confirms the site was legitimate and appointments made are still good.
"In Phase 1, vaccine eligibility and distribution is determined by states and local jurisdictions," said Jeff Olso, Vice President of Corporate Communications for Rite Aid. "Rite Aid provides a scheduling link to the state to disseminate to their approved groups, or in many instances, post on their local Department of Health site. The scheduling link in question is legitimate and the site is secure; we encourage eligible individuals to keep their confirmed appointments."
The link on the Department of Health's website was also changed as of Monday to reflect a riteaid.com link. A spokesperson for the Department of Health confirmed Rite Aid updated their scheduling system and they asked for the link to be changed.
For locations that are receiving vaccines, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health's vaccine page.
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