UPMC staff member Denise Bosilovich checks in a COVID-19 vaccine recipient Wednesday at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.

The goal was to vaccinate 25 people every 15 minutes outside the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex on Wednesday, for a total of 500 vaccinations.

In the end, UPMC staff met — if not exceeded — that goal.

Susan Hoolahan, president of UPMC Passavant, said the drive-thru vaccination event was part of a series of clinics across the UPMC health system Wednesday.

While those were held indoors, Hoolahan said the fact that the Lemieux clinic was held in the complex parking lot was unique.

“It was the first one in the area,” Hoolahan said. “We're really happy to be getting vaccines.”

To receive a vaccine at the Lemieux center, patients preregistered on UPMC's website from Butler and Beaver counties as well as the North Hills area.After getting their shot, patients were asked to park for 15 minutes while UPMC staff made sure they didn't have any immediate adverse reactions.Hoolahan said patients also received information about the vaccine and a bag of “goodies.”Hoolahan estimated about 4,000 vaccines were distributed across the system Wednesday.One of those recipients was Chris Karg, of McCandless. He said he was pleased with how quickly the vaccination process moved.“I showed up for a 1 p.m. appointment at 12:45,” Karg said. “I'll be out of here by 1 p.m.”Edward Sibbet, of Pittsburgh, also said he appreciated how easily he was able to receive his vaccine Wednesday.“I feel great,” Sibbet said. “It's like a weight off my shoulders.”Hoolahan said she's inspired every time she attends a vaccination clinic.What's unique about the Lemieux event, according to Hoolahan, is that it happened because of a special collaboration with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

“The nice thing about this is that the Pens have the facility,” Hoolahan said. “We've got the expertise.”The collaboration isn't over yet. Before leaving, patients were issued appointment cards with the dates for their second doses.“They'll be back 28 days from now, roughly,” Hoolahan said.UPMC and the Penguins have planned a series of vaccination events in various locations in the Greater Pittsburgh area in coming days.“Our goal is the same as everybody else's,” Hoolahan said. “We want to get those shots in the arm.”Information about registering for a vaccine through UPMC is available at vaccine.upmc.com.<i>Eagle staff writer Sebastian Foltz contributed to this report.</i>

UPMC staff member Taylor Bajus gives a vaccination shot to Chris Karg of McCandles at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex drive-thru vaccination Wednesday.

John Krepps, of Harmony Township, gets his first Moderna COVID-19 shot from UPMC nurse manager Liz Brunner at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex drive-thru vaccination event Wednesday.

Edward Sibbet, of Pittsburgh, gets his first Moderna COVID-19 shot from UPMC nurse manager Liz Brunner at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex drive-thru vaccination event Wednesday.

UPMC staff member Denise Bosilovich checks in on a COVID vaccine recipient at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex Wednesday. UPMC hosted a drive-thru Moderna shot vaccination clinic.