Southwest General Begins Vaccinating Elderly Ohioans

MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OH — Southwest General will begin vaccinating elderly Ohioans on Thursday and Saturday.

"Much like when we began vaccinating our health care workers, we are excited to be at the point where we are able to offer the vaccine to those identified in Phase 1B. We believe that the COVID-19 vaccine is an effective means to slowing the spread of this disease, and we are hopeful that members of our community will join us in this fight," a Southwest General spokesperson told Patch.

The hospital is holding two clinics at Middleburg Heights Community Center, 16000 Bagley Rd. on Thursday and Saturday. The clinics are only open to people 80 and older, per Ohio Department of Health guidelines. The clinics required appointments to receive the vaccine and all appointments have been filled.

"As we continue to receive supplies of the COVID-19 vaccine in the weeks ahead, we will provide additional vaccine clinics for other age groups as they become eligible based on the state’s Phase 1B guidelines," hospital officials said in an emailed statement.

For more information on future clinics, visit the Southwest General website.

Ohio began vaccinating residents 80 and older this week. The vaccine will be available to more Ohioans every week as the state moves through Phase 1B of its distribution plan.

Here are other COVID-19 vaccine providers nearby:

• Discount Drug Mart, 13919 Prospect Road, Strongsville
• Giant Eagle Pharmacy, 15919 Pearl Road, Strongsville
• Giant Eagle Pharmacy, 6869 Southland Drive, Middleburg Heights
• Giant Eagle Pharmacy, 50 West Bridge Street, Berea

Starting Jan. 25, vaccinations will be available to Ohioans 75 and older. Vaccines will also be available to Ohioans with severe congenital, developmental, or early-onset medical disorders, and who have a developmental or intellectual disability.

Representatives from county developmental disabilities boards should reach out to eligible Ohioans to coordinate the vaccination process.

"This group has been identified by medical professionals as having a high risk of death if they caught COVID-19," said Gov. Mike DeWine. "It's critical that we continue to prioritize Ohioans who are most vulnerable."

On Feb. 1, vaccines will be available for Ohioans 70 and older and some school staffers. Teachers and school staffers will largely be vaccinated in closed-to-the-public settings, DeWine's office said.

On Feb. 8, vaccines will be available to Ohioans 65 and older.

On Feb. 15, Ohioans with severe congenital, developmental or early-onset medical disorders (but do not have a developmental or intellectual disability) can receive the vaccine.