WILMINGTON — Clinton County has been planning for some time now for the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines.
The Clinton County Health District (CCHD) continues to build partnerships with local providers and supporting agencies to ensure the infrastructure is ready to go for administration, according to a news release from the CCHD.
“We want to reassure our community that local stakeholders are committed in the administration of limited vaccines to our at-risk community members,” according to the county.
“Our county has received, on average, 400 dosages of vaccine per week over the last two weeks. This number is based upon the Social Vulnerability Index created by the federal Centers for Disease Control.”
Clinton County has more than 2,700 residents age 75 and older.
“Thus, at the rate we are receiving vaccines, we will need a little over six weeks to vaccinate that age group.
“We ask that, if you are 75 or older, you call the CCHD or one of our providers to schedule a time to get your vaccine. We ask for your patience and understanding as we administer as many vaccines as we are given.
“Clinton County is not alone in this. Our previous press release asked that you call during certain weeks, but that does not mean a vaccine will be administered to you during that time.”
If the supply of vaccines increases for Clinton County, the Clinton County Health District is committed to increasing more locations to administer this vaccine.
Remember, we are all in this together. Clinton County Strong!
Phone bank open Friday a.m.
The Clinton County Health District will host its next phone bank to schedule COVID-19 vaccination appointments for those individuals 75 years old and older.
On Friday, Jan. 22 beginning at 9 a.m., Clinton County residents may call 937-382-3829, option 0 (zero) for appointments for the week of Jan. 25.
CCHD will be providing the Pfizer brand vaccine. The Pfizer brand of vaccine is a 2-dose series given approximately 21 days apart, and requires a special ultra-cold freezer to store safely. The Board of Clinton County Commissioners used CARES funding to purchase this equipment.
“COVID vaccine is a scare resource,” said Health Commissioner Pamela Walker-Bauer. “Having this ultra-cold storage capability provides extra opportunity to receive any brand of COVID vaccine for the citizens of Clinton County.”
For more information, please visit https://co.clinton.oh.us/departments/HealthDistrict .
For the latest updates, follow the Clinton County Health District on its social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
At the site Thursday
There were two vaccine dispensing clinics being run simultaneously at the county health department Thursday: at one clinic people 80 and older were receiving their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine; and at the other clinic first-responders were getting their second dose of the Moderna vaccine.
To say the least, it was a hum of activity.
At the first-dose Pfizer clinic, Clinton County Health District Director of Nursing Monica Wood told the assembled group of seniors she would expect their receiving arm to be comparably sore to a flu vaccine, and also expect swelling and redness, and a little stiffness.
She also told the octogenarians (and at least one man in his late 90s) she expected them to rest a lot the next day.
Other instructions included keeping their vaccine card in a safe place; continuing to wear a mask, to physical distance, wash hands and stay home if ill even after their future second shot in February.
“It takes a while for maximum protection,” said Wood.
“It’s very important you get the second dose. I’ll be super-excited to see you in February,” the Director of Nursing said.
A couple seniors thanked the workers out loud, followed by applause.
Health Commissioner Pamela Walker-Bauer said Thursday morning that staff has not observed any adverse reaction to the shots from vaccinated people during their 15-minute wait time held at the multiple sessions so far conducted.
Clinton County Public Information Officer Duane Weyand elaborated on the appointment scheduling method of the health department. When the health department knows how many doses it will receive in an upcoming shipment of vaccines, that’s when they schedule appointments.
“A prime example: They’re not going to schedule you three weeks out because they don’t know what the shipment is going to look like [in three weeks],” said Weyand.
Walker-Bauer said the health department is not taking a waiting list at this time because the vaccine supply is so finite.
As to the Pfizer vaccine, the health commissioner said Thursday, “It’s a fragile vaccine, and this is the very first time we’ve ever handled it, so we’re trying to get our rhythm down and the logistics of it, because you have to mix the vaccine with the saline solution, with the components of the messenger RNA and so that has to be used very quickly.”
News Journal staff writer Gary Huffenberger contributed the final section of this article.
