Chasing an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination could qualify as an Olympic sport. The competition has turned fierce and frustrating with the drug in low and fluctuating supply for two months. It's complicated by the vaccine coming out in three streams: health departments, health systems and pharmacies.
The Enquirer aims to coach you with this guide to the systems and retailers taking appointments locally, including a map of 140 local sites now providing vaccinations.
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Some basics to know
Be patient. More than 2.2 million Ohioans 65 and older now are eligible for the vaccine. But the state gets a weekly allotment ranging so far from 100,000 doses to 225,000 doses expected the week of Feb. 15. It could take a month to vaccinate everyone in this first group who wants the drug. See the graphic below on how distribution is going around the state.
Also starting Feb. 15, more Ohioans will join the line. This is a group defined not by age or living situation, as earlier in the rollout, but by major health conditions to include people with cerebral palsy; spina bifida; severe congenital heart disease requiring hospitalization within the past year; severe type 1 diabetes requiring hospitalization within the past year; inherited metabolic disorders, including phenylketonuria; severe neurological disorders, including epilepsy, hydrocephaly, and microcephaly; severe genetic disorders, including Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Turner syndrome, and muscular dystrophy; severe lung disease, including asthma requiring hospitalization within the past year and cystic fibrosis; sickle cell anemia; alpha and beta thalassemia; and solid organ transplants.
In Kentucky, patience also is needed. More than 502,132 Kentuckians 70-plus are eligible for the vaccine now. Teachers also are receiving second doses. The next category will include essential workers. The state's health department districts are getting population-proportionate vaccine allocations of at minimum 100 doses per county. The federal government was expected to ship about 13,000 doses for 47 independent pharmacies and more than 90 Walgreens pharmacies across the commonwealth, to begin distributing as soon as late last week. See the graphic below on how distribution is going in the commonwealth.
If you are comfortable with the internet: If you have a doctor connected to a major hospital system, check your electronic medical record. You may get a notice there first about eligibility.
If you are not comfortable with the internet:
Here are websites and phone numbers for hospital systems, health departments and pharmacies in the Cincinnati area that now have avenues to vaccination. This list will be updated at least weekly as more providers establish appointment signups. Also, if you're willing to speak with an Enquirer reporter about your experience getting vaccinated, please see the survey below.
Hospital systems
Bon Secours Mercy Health: Urges patients to use MyChart or call the COVID-19 hotline 866-624-0366.
Christ Hospital Health Network: No phone scheduling available yet. Patients must use the MyChart function.
Premier Health: If you're a Premier Health patient eligible to be vaccinated at the clinic operated by Atrium Medical Center in Middletown, you'll receive a request to schedule an appointment through your MyChart account. If you don't have a MyChart account, you can create one. Or call 937-276-4141.
St. Elizabeth Healthcare: First, go to St. Elizabeth.com/get-vaccinated. To get a vaccination, either click "Schedule your vaccine without MyChart, or on your personal MyChart login and go to 'schedule an appointment.' Scroll down and click on the green "Schedule it!" button or your appointment will not be scheduled. Or call 859-363-2120.
TriHealth: Urges patients to use MyChart, with instructions on how to set up an account. Or call 513-862-6843
UC Health: Urges patients to use MyChart to schedule an appointment. Or call 513-584-3673.
Health departments
Butler County Public Health: County residents outside of the cities of Hamilton or Middletown can register to get the vaccine through the department's online form. The county will contact you to schedule your appointment. 513-863-1770.
Cincinnati Health Department:Joint county/city website can send users to health systems or health departments. City health department help line 513-357-7462.
Clermont County Health Department: Register through the online form. Or call: 513-735-8500.
Hamilton County Public Health: Joint county/city website can send users to health systems or health departments.
Hamilton (city) Health Department: Residents can register through an online form, and the department will contact you about scheduling an appointment. Help line 513-785-7080.
Middletown Health Department: Residents can register through the online form, and the department will contact you about scheduling an appointment. Help line 513-425-1818.
Northern Kentucky Public Health: Go to the department's COVID-19 page. Links for vaccine clinics change routinely. Scroll to the location you wish for availability, which changes daily. Help line 859-363-2120; if no appointments available, the message will say so.
Norwood Health Department: Scheduling 513-458-4515
Warren County Health Department: Residents can register through the health department's online form. The county will contact you to schedule your appointment. Help line 513-695-1228.
Medical practices
HealthPoint Family Care locations: Patients can use the online form to register. Then, select the location from a drop-down screen and follow instructions.
- 1401 Madison, Covington.
- 215 E 11th St. Newport.
- 7607 Dixie Highway, Florence. G
HealthSource of Ohio: Taking requests for appointments then reaching out to schedule. Fill out the online request form under the Ohio Vaccination Program graphic. Or call:
- Clermont County residents – 513-732-5081.
- Hamilton County residents – 513-707-9811.
- Warren County residents – 513-707-9812.
Pharmacies
Kroger:
- Northern Kentucky Convention Center location, 1 Rivercenter Blvd., Covington, click here.
- In Ohio, schedule online, or call the COVID-19 vaccine helpline at 866-211-5320. The online form will use your ZIP code to show you Kroger providers in your area.
Walgreens: Register here for an appointment.
CVS: Fill out the online form.
Blanks Pharmacy: Call the Covington store at 859-261-1313.
Community First Pharmacy: Fill out the online form to schedule your appointment, or call the Hamilton location at 513-645-5447 or the Middletown location at 513-454-1117.
Discount Drug Mart: Fill out the pharmacy's registration form online or call the Springboro location at 937-748-3000 or the Mason location at 513-754-1361 to schedule an appointment.
Meijer: Text COVID to the number 75049 and receive a link to register. Online registration is also available, or call the Eastgate store 513-943-5710 or the Miami Township store 513-576-5510.
Total Care Pharmacy: Online registration is not available. Call the Crittenden store at 859-428-0900, the Dry Ridge store at 859-823-0200 and the Falmouth store at 859-654-3232.
Enquirer investigations and enterprise editor Mark Wert contributed.
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