Lorain County Public Health Provides COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Information

Lorain County Public Health (LCPH) is currently offering COVID-19 vaccinations to individuals in phase 1A of the state’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program. At this time, LCPH does not have exact timeframes or dates of clinics. LCPH’s ability to vaccinate depends upon when and how much vaccine we receive from the state.

Individuals who fall into phase 1A include:

• Residents and staff of nursing homes and assisted living facilities
• People with developmental disabilities and people with mental health disorders (including substance use disorders) who live in group homes, residential facilities, or centers and staff at those locations
• Home health/hospice workers (i.e. home health aides, direct support professionals, sanitation workers)
• Emergency Medical Services responders.
• Primary care practitioners, including family medicine and general medicine providers.
• Freestanding EDs, urgent care, pharmacies, and dialysis centers not vaccinated by hospitals or healthcare systems.
• OB-GYN practitioners not vaccinated by hospitals or healthcare systems.
• Federally Qualified Health Center providers.
• Dental providers.
• Surgeons not vaccinated by hospitals or healthcare systems.
• Mobile unit practitioners.
• Healthcare providers, including public health employees, at risk for exposure to and/or transmission of COVID-19, such as vaccinators.

If you’re within phase 1A, ask your employer if they have a plan for vaccination since some facilities are enrolled in a federal pharmacy program. If your employer does not have a program, LCPH may be able to vaccinate you. Those who fall into phase 1A may sign up to receive a notification about closed COVID-19 vaccine clinics for phase 1A individuals at LorainCountyHealth.com/signup.

Once those in phase 1A have received the vaccine, phase 1B of the state’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program will begin. Ohio has not yet released the exact timeframe for phase 1B. LCPH estimates that phase 1B will likely begin in late January. This depends on when and how much vaccine supply is available.

Phase 1B individuals include:

• Adults 65 years and older
• People living with severe congenital, developmental, or early-onset medical disorders
• Adults who work in schools

LCPH will work directly with school administration to vaccinate adults who work in schools who choose to be vaccinated. School personnel will get information on when to receive the vaccine from their school’s administration.

When the vaccine is available for phase 1B and additional phases, LCPH will announce vaccine clinics through multiple channels, including:

• Local news sources, such as radio stations, newspapers, and television
• Community leaders and our partner agencies
• Our website: www.LorainCountyHealth.com/coronavirus
• Social media: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram
• Email notification: LorainCountyHealth.com/signup

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. They’re meant to save lives and slow the spread of the virus. As supply increases, COVID-19 vaccines will be available to all Ohioans who choose to be vaccinated.

For local, up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit LorainCountyHealth.com/coronavirus. For more information on how we make your health & safety our priorities, contact Lorain County Public Health at 440-322-6367 or visit LorainCountyHealth.com. Follow your local health department on Twitter @LorainCoHealth, Facebook, or YouTube.