Chasing an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination could qualify as an Olympic sport. While more vaccine is expected to come to Ohio and Kentucky in the next few weeks, it will still take some time to get enough doses for everyone who wants one. The high demand for a drug in low supply is complicated by the vaccine coming out in at least three streams: health departments, health systems and pharmacies.
To help cut through some of the confusion, the Enquirer has compiled this guide to the systems and retailers taking appointments locally, including a map of 174 local sites now providing vaccinations.
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Ohio COVID-19 vaccine eligibility
Not everybody is eligible. Even with more vaccine doses reaching Ohio, there still aren't enough shots for everybody who wants them. See the graphic below on how distribution is going around the state.
Ohio is currently prioritizing vaccine eligibility based on age. Around 1.5 million Ohio residents ages 50-59 are newly eligible to get vaccinated. Any Ohioan over age 60 was already eligible. Other residents can also qualify for vaccinations based on their medical conditions or occupations.
Here are the new groups that can get vaccinated in Ohio as of Thursday:
- People ages 50 and older.
- People with type 2 diabetes under the age of 50.
- People with end-stage renal disease under the age of 50.
See the full list of who is eligible in Ohio here.
Kentucky COVID-19 vaccine eligibility
In Kentucky, patience also is needed. The state is also basing its vaccine eligibility on age, medical conditions and occupation, with those 60 and older able to get the vaccine.
Phase 1C began March 1, and this group is large. In Northern Kentucky alone, there are 48,000 people 60 and older in the group, the health department noted.
Phase 1C in Kentucky includes:
- People ages 60 and older.
- People ages 16 or older with conditions that can cause COVID-19 to be severe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains a list of these conditions. These include but are not limited to:
- Cancer.
- Chronic kidney disease.
- Heart conditions.
- Down syndrome.
- Smoking.
- Pregnancy.
- Obesity.
- Sickle cell disease.
- Essential workers not already vaccinated. A full list of essential workers can be found on the Kycovid19.ky.gov site.
See the full list of who is eligible in Kentucky here.
How to make a vaccine appointment
Online: Check your electronic medical record if you have a doctor connected to a major hospital system. You may get a notice there first about eligibility. You can also schedule an appointment online through most health departments, medical practice and pharmacy providers.
In Ohio, you also can use gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov to check your eligibility for the vaccine and to book an appointment at a mass vaccination site; you also can gets links to other vaccine providers.
Other option: Use the telephone. In Hamilton County, dial 211 for a help line staffed with United Way volunteers trained to help get you signed up. Most every other dispenser has a telephone number to call for help.
Below is a map the Enquirer created of vaccine provider locations in the Cincinnati area. When you click on an icon for a provider in your area, you'll be able to see the name, address, phone number and website for the location.
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 this survey.
Hospitals
Bon Secours Mercy Health: Urges patients to use MyChart or call the COVID-19 hotline 866-624-0366.
Christ Hospital Health Network:Patients can use MyChart to schedule an appointment, while those who have never been a Christ Hospital Health Network patient or who don't have a MyChart account can schedule online through the website. A limited number of appointments are also available by phone at 513-585-3881.
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: Preregistration for vaccinations is currently on hold as the county works through its waiting list. The county will begin taking appointments again through gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov. 513-863-1770
Cincinnati Health Department: The city now is sending residents who have internet access to the ArmorVax app. If you don't have access, call the city health department help line 513-357-7462. You can also register for notification of vaccine eligibility.
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. You can also register for notification of later eligibility.
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.
Springdale Health Department: 513-346-5725. The city health department will add residents to the wait list, prioritized by age. An online system may come later.
Warren County Health Department: Scheduling appointments through gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov. Help line 513-695-1228.
Medical practices
Centerpoint Health Franklin: Centerpoint is taking requests to be put a waiting list as it works through current appointments. To be placed on a waiting list, call 513-217-9165. Centerpoint is not offering vaccines to those in Phase 1A and school personnel.
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.
HealthSource of Ohio: Taking requests for appointments then reaching out to schedule. Fill out the online request form under the Ohio Vaccination Program graphic.
- Clermont County residents – 513-732-5081.
- Hamilton County residents – 513-707-9811.
- Warren County residents – 513-707-9812.
Pharmacies
Kroger: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. For NKY residents, you will use the Kroger form to sign up for the Northern Kentucky Convention Center mass vaccination site.
Walgreens: Register here for an appointment.
Walmart: Schedule an appointment online.
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.
HealingSprings Pharmacy: Schedule online or call the Hamilton location at 513-863-8000.
Kratzer’s Hometown Pharmacy: Call the Middletown location at 513-217-6222 or the Maineville location at 513-880-0023.
Medex Pharmacy: Call the West Chester location at 513-755-1891.
Medicine Shoppe: Call the Springboro location at 937-748-0555.
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.
Rite Aid: Schedule online or call the Middletown location at 513-420-2546.
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.
Waynesville Pharmacy: Call 513-897-7076 to schedule an appointment.
Yost Pharmacy: Schedule an appointment online through gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 513-398-5010.
Enquirer investigations and enterprise editor Mark Wert contributed.
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