Although the COVID-19 pandemic is persisting, there is a glimmer of hope through the COVID-19 vaccine currently in the beginning stage of distribution in Athens County.
This vaccine is being distributed in different locations nationally, even on the Ohio University campus. Only a select group of people are able to receive the vaccine at this time.
As of Jan. 11, Athens is currently within Phase 1A of vaccine distribution, according to the Athens City-County Health Department, or ACCHD, website. Those currently receiving the vaccine are healthcare workers, nursing home employees, patients and staff at psychiatric hospitals, those with intellectual or mental disabilities living in group homes, residents and staff at Ohio veterans homes and EMS responders.
Also as of Jan. 11, 409 of those in Phase 1A have been vaccinated in Athens County. Currently, ACCHD is receiving shipments of 100-300 vaccine doses on a bimonthly basis, limiting the rate at which vaccines can be administered. When those shipments are received, contact is made with the top priority group and administered within that week.
The previous expectation was Phase 1A would last through February, according to the ACCHD website. However, the department announced Jan. 11 it could begin vaccination for Phase 1B “as early as next week,” according to a previous Post report.
On Jan. 12, ACCHD said in a tweet Phase 1B individuals will soon be eligible for vaccination. That group includes those 65 and older, K-12 staff and those with congenital disabilities.
According to OU’s website, COVID-19 vaccines were distributed to more than 200 first responders and home healthcare workers in OU’s Heritage Hall on Jan. 7. OU has partnered with ACCHD to facilitate distribution of the vaccine. That partnership plans to continue throughout the coming months with the goal of accomplishing wide distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Heritage Hall was chosen for its size, location and large parking area, according to a previous Post report.
“We looked at several sites as places to distribute the vaccine, but when Dr. Johnson offered the new Heritage Hall, we knew this was the most efficient space to make the vaccine accessible while keeping people safe,” Athens City-County Health Commissioner James Gaskell said in a news release. “With new vaccines such as this, you must provide an observation room where people can wait for at least 15 minutes to make sure there are no reactions. The large, open space in Heritage Hall is the perfect place to allow for 50 people to safely keep their distance while being observed, something that will be even more helpful when we are supplied more doses of the vaccine and can vaccinate hundreds more people.”
According to a university news release, Jack Pepper, ACCHD administrator, said he expects to have upwards of 400 people coming through Heritage Hall in a day to get vaccinated once the vaccine is made more widely available. They are also planning to be open and administering the vaccine on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
ACCHD and OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital are also working with OU to begin administering vaccines to those in Phase 1B at Heritage Hall as well.
Next week, Kroger Pharmacies, Shrivers Pharmacies and Hopewell Health Centers located in Nelsonville and Athens will begin administering limited amounts of vaccines to some in Phase 1B, according to a press release from ACCHD. Of that group, the first priority will be those 65 years and older.
If you are interested in receiving the vaccine, contact information for locations administering the vaccine can be found at coronavirus.ohio.gov.
