Hardin County’s Vaccine Status

January 4, 2021- (Kenton, OH)- The Kenton Hardin Health Department received our second shipment of COVID-19 vaccine last week and is holding a second closed clinic for EMS departments, primary care practices, pharmacies, and home health & hospice agencies located within Hardin County this week. These Phase 1A groups have been selected to ensure emergency medical services are available to those in need and care is available for sick patients.

We are also expanding to the targeted-risk populations included in Ohio’s Phase 1B. This includes staff working in group homes or residential centers for persons with intellectual disabilities or mental illness. Depending on quantity and arrival of our next vaccine shipment, we plan to expand to people living in group homes or residential facilities who have developmental disabilities or mental illness.

We expect to continue to receive vaccine shipments weekly, although we do not know how often. We will continue to focus vaccination efforts in accordance with Ohio’s Phase 1A for the next couple of weeks. We do not have a defined timeframe on when Ohio will begin vaccination to individuals in Ohio’s Phase 1B tier. According to Governor DeWine, Ohio’s Phase 1B tier will focus on persons at highest risk for severe illness (adults age 65 and older; persons with severe congenital, developmental or early-onset medical disorders) and getting kids back in school (by vaccinating adults who work within schools). We hope to learn more in the next one to two weeks. We will continue to share vaccination updates and eligibility as we know more.

As a reminder, local nursing homes and assisted living facilities are receiving vaccine directly through the federal pharmacy partnership. Local hospitals are also directly receiving vaccine for hospital workers. Local health departments will continue to focus on individuals and facilities within Ohio’s Phase 1A tier who are outside of these settings.

At this time, we are working directly with organizations located within Hardin County who fall within Ohio’s Phase 1A group. We are still finalizing communications plans to reach Hardin County residents who fall within Ohio’s Phase 1B. We do not have a specific timeframe on when the Ohio 1B group will begin. Thus, we are not keeping a list of Hardin County residents who are interested in vaccination at this time. Please continue to check our website, Facebook page, and other media channels for the latest information. As we learn more about Ohio’s Phase 1B, we will finalize a detailed communications plans to make sure all those who are eligible and interested in receiving vaccination are informed.