“We are working very hard to make sure everyone who wants a vaccine in Clark County will be able to get a vaccine,” CCCHD Health Commissioner Charles Patterson said. “Please be patient as we begin this massive endeavor.”
Champaign County officials echoed that sentiment in their statement.
“Vaccines are in short supply in Ohio and across the country. County allocations are expected to be in hundreds, not thousands, as we being vaccinating these Phase 1b populations in our area,” a joint statement from the Champaign Health District and Champaign County EMA said. “While we know that many people in our community are eager to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, we must be patient while demand for the vaccine remains higher than the available supply.”
Gov. Mike DeWine released the vaccination scheduled last week for Phase 1b, a group that includes Ohioans ages 65 and older, K-12 school staff and those with severe medical issues. DeWine said Ohioans ages 80 and older will be able to start receiving coronavirus vaccines on Jan. 19, with the state extending the age group eligible to receive the vaccine by five years each week.
More information about what medical conditions will be considered severe and how those people can get vaccinated will be available next week, DeWine said on Thursday.
Seven providers in Clark County have been approved to start distributing the vaccine to residents next week.
Beginning Tuesday, Clark County residents ages 80 and over can be vaccinated by the following entities, all by appointment only:
- Clark County Combined Health District and Mercy Health are partnering to administer vaccines at one location at the Upper Valley Mall. Residents are encouraged to sign up for alerts from the health district at ccchd.com or call 937-717-2439. The website and phone line will open for scheduling on Friday.
- Rocking Horse Community Health Center, located at 651 S. Limestone St. in Springfield, will be offering the vaccine by appointment only during varied hours. Rocking Horse patients will take priority. To schedule an appointment contact 937-525-4521.
- The New Carlisle Community Health Center, located at 106 N. Main St. in New Carlisle, is setting up a dedicated phone line for scheduling. Those phone lines will be available soon. For now, residents are encouraged to watch their social media accounts for updates.
- All Three Springfield-area Kroger pharmacy locations — 2728 E. Main St., 965 N. Bechtle Ave. and 2989 Derr Rd. — will all offer the vaccine. Kroger customers are encouraged to visit kroger.com/ohiocovidvaccine or call the COVID-19 vaccine helping at 866-211-5320 for more information. The helpline will be active starting Saturday.
Clark County residents are encouraged to visit ccchd.com or the health district’s Facebook page for weekly updates regarding vaccine locations and registration information.
“We must continue using all the tools available to help prevent the spread of the virus until a substantial number of Ohioans can be vaccinated,” Clark County EMA Director Michelle Clements-Pitsick said. “Continuing to wear masks and social distancing will reduce your chance of being exposed to or spreading the virus. Proper prevention measures coupled with the vaccine, will provide the best protection from COVID-19.”
In Champaign County, 400 doses of vaccine will be distributed between three providers in the county: Kroger, Champaign Health District and Mercy Health - Urbana Hospital.
Those eligible for the vaccine in Phase 1b are encouraged to register for vaccination on the health district’s website (champaignhd.com) and also online at kroger.com/ohiocovidvaccine.
In Clark County, 3,972 shots have been given, according to the Ohio Department of Health. In Champaign County, there have been 802.
Clark County had 10,334 cases of the coronavirus as of Thursday afternoon, according to ODH. The county also had 256 deaths and 12 probable deaths, according to data from the CCCHD.
Champaign County had 2,337 cases, according to ODH. The county also had 27 total deaths, according to data from the CHD.
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