This edition of View from Ward 2 is dedicated to sharing information about distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. Please regularly check the Ohio Department of Health and Cuyahoga Board of Health for the most up-to-date information.
COVID-19 VACCINE DISTRIBUTION
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Phase 1B of Ohio’s distribution program begins this week. This phase specifically includes the following groups:
Find out what's happening in Lakewoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Week of Jan. 19: Ohioans 80 years of age and older.
- Week of Jan. 25: Ohioans 75 years of age and older; those with severe congenital or developmental disorders.
- Week of Feb. 1: Ohioans 70 years of age and older; employees of K-12 schools that wish to remain or return to in-person or hybrid models.
- Week of Feb. 8: Ohioans 65 years of age and older.
When a new age group begins, vaccinations may not be complete for the previous age group. For example, someone in the first age group will still be able to be vaccinated once the next group begins.
HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN I CAN GET VACCINATED?
If you part of Phase 1A or 1B (or are a member of another eligible group, like law enforcement, utility worker, etc.), the Cuyahoga Board of Health will notify you when a vaccine is available if you complete the following form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSftfqyyGgMPDWQlQKeSC7eIGzAkVkgNNDc0jt0BXAlXIzoWjw/viewform
WHERE CAN I GET THE VACCINE?
Two good ways to find a provider are via the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) website (https://vaccine.coronavirus.ohio.gov/) and the Cuyahoga Board of Health (CBH) website (https://www.ccbh.net/covid-19-phase-1b-provider-list/). You must directly contact the provider of your choice from these lists to schedule a vaccine appointment.
Per both the ODH and CBH websites, as of January 17, 2021, the following providers are available in Lakewood:
Find out what's happening in Lakewoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Please note that those eligible to receive the vaccine are NOT limited to specific providers based on location. In addition to the providers in Lakewood, there are approximately 90 providers in Cuyahoga County, including the major hospital systems (Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth, University Hospitals), as well as pharmacies and other providers in neighboring cities. Please make sure to check for the ODH and CBH websites for updates, as provider information may change.
WHAT IS THE COVID-19 VACCINE AND WHY SHOULD I GET IT?
There are currently two vaccines that have received emergency use authorization from the FDA: Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna. Both vaccines involve two injections, given 21 (Pfizer) and 28 (Moderna) days apart. I found the following articles helpful in explaining how the vaccines work, who should get the vaccine (e.g., children? pregnant women? people with prior infection?), and what you can expect after each dose: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-vaccine/art-20484859 and https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/health/pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine.html. I am encouraged that the vaccines are becoming available to the public, and I plan to get vaccinated as soon as I am eligible.
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