Yesterday, the Governor reported that local health departments in Ohio that registered as vaccine providers are expected to begin receiving vaccines next week and will start distributing them to Group 1A, which includes residential facility patients and staff, and other essential health care workers.
According to a news release from the Governor's office, local health departments are going to coordinate the vaccinations of congregate care residents and staff, such as those at nursing homes and assisted living facilities. This includes people with developmental disabilities and those with mental health disorders, including substance use disorders, who live in group homes, residential facilities, or centers, as well as staff.
Additionally, local health departments have been advised to prioritize vaccinating other healthcare providers who are not being vaccinated by hospitals and health systems and are not enrolled as providers themselves. The news release details such providers, which could include:
Home health workers
Hospice workers
Emergency medical services responders
Primary care practitioners
Free-standing emergency department, urgent care, pharmacy, and dialysis center providers not vaccinated by hospitals or healthcare systems
Dental providers
Public health employees who are at risk of exposure or transmission, such as vaccinators
Mobile unit practitioners
Federally-qualified health center providers
High-risk ancillary health care staff members
It is recommended that those in the Group 1A category reach out to your local health department now if you have not done so already.
Additionally, we want to share that the Ohio Attorney General’s Office is warning against COVID-19 vaccine-related scams. In cases such as these, he recommends you contact your local health department or the statewide Ohio Department of Health’s COVID-19 call center (1-833-427-5634) to check on issues you are unsure about.