Registration will begin soon for individuals who are 80-years-old or older to receive a COVID-19 vaccination in Fayette County as early as next week.
Four providers will offer vaccines to the public, including Fayette County Public Health (FCPH), Fayette County Memorial Hospital (FCMH), HealthSource of Ohio, and Kroger pharmacy. Anyone eligible to receive the vaccine may receive it at any location – you do not have to be a patient or customer.
Vaccines are still limited and will be distributed according to state guidelines. Eventually, every Ohioan will be able to receive a vaccine if they choose to do so. During the initial week of Phase 1b of Ohio’s vaccine distribution plan, the Ohio Department of Health has provided 400 vaccine doses to Fayette County.
There are 420,000 individuals in the 80 and over age range in Ohio, but Ohio is only expected to receive 100,000 doses of vaccine next week. This means not everyone age 80+ will be able to get the vaccine in the first week, but rather this is the date their eligibility will begin. There are 2.2 million Ohioans that fall into group 1B for vaccine distribution.
All locations will offer the vaccine at no cost. Vaccine providers can bill a patient’s insurance for a fee to administer the vaccine, but will not be able to charge the patient. Providers can seek reimbursement for uninsured patients from the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Provider Relief Fund.
Leigh Cannon, deputy health commissioner at FCPH, asks the public to please remain patient during this time, and keep the following in mind:
Once you make an appointment at one of the four locations, you are confirmed to receive the vaccine. Please do not register for the vaccine at multiple locations, this will only slow the distribution of vaccines to others.
After receiving your first dose, you must schedule your second dose from the same location. Due to the different vaccines on the market, you may be asked to go to a different location for your second dose but that determination will be made by the location that administered your first dose.
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is actively adding vaccine providers who will be able to give vaccines in addition to the health department. This could include hospitals, physicians, home health providers, and retail pharmacies. ODH has approximately 1,700 providers registered to distribute vaccines.
How and Where To Get a Vaccine
Fayette County Public Health – Pre-registration begins at 8 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 15. Complete a form on the front page of faycohd.org or call 740-335-5910 during business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). If you are able to complete the online form, FCPH asks that you do so, because it is anticipated that there will be high call volumes on Friday. The vaccine clinic will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 20. Details will be shared when your appointment is scheduled.
Fayette County Memorial Hospital – Call 740-333-2743 to register for an appointment. You do not have to be a patient at FCMH– vaccinations are available to any community member who is eligible and wishes to receive one. Vaccine Clinic will be held Wednesday Jan. 20 and Thursday, Jan. 21 from 1-4 p.m. in Medical Arts Building 2 Community Room, 1510 Columbus Ave.
HealthSource of Ohio – HealthSource of Ohio will provide COVID vaccinations according to Ohio state guidelines. “We know that many of our residents are eager to get vaccinated. We ask for your patience as we move to the next phase. Because of the limited supply, HealthSource will do vaccines by appointment only—no walk-up vaccines will be given,” said a statement from HealthSource.
The dates have not yet been determined but for those in the 1B Category interested in making an appointment, beginning Saturday, Jan. 16 they can register on HealthSource’s website at https://www.healthsourceofohio.org/ or call (740) 335-8490 to leave their information. A member of the HealthSource Vaccination Team will reach out to them to complete the registration and scheduling process beginning Monday, Jan. 18.
Kroger – “We encourage our customers to visit kroger.com/ohiocovidvaccine or to call our COVID-19 vaccine helpline at 866-211-5320 for the latest information on vaccine availability in their area. With vaccines arriving next week, our helpline will be active starting Saturday, January 16th and next week we will only be providing vaccines to the current phase/included populations, seniors 80+. All COVID-19 vaccines will require an appointment via kroger.com/ohiocovidvaccine or 866-211-5320 once vaccines are available,” said a statement from Kroger.
A Facebook Live presentation has been scheduled for today at noon and will be shared on the FCPH, FCMH, and Fayette County Emergency Management Agency pages. The presentation will feature a Q&A about the vaccine, myths versus facts, and more details about how eligible individuals can sign up to receive the vaccine.
Presenters include Cannon and Ashley Roberts, R.N. with FCPH and Dr. Emily Johnson and Zach Camp, director of pharmacy with FCMH. Whitney Gentry, FCMH director of business development, will moderate the event.
