Editor's Note: This article contains the most up-to-date information available when it was published, but it may have changed since then as the COVID-19 pandemic and response continue to evolve. For the most up-to-date information, visit beaconjournal.com.
Appointments to get a COVID-19 vaccinecontinue to be hard to get.
Some Walgreens pharmacies have been added to Ohio's list of vaccine providersin Summit County and throughout the state.
Another addition to the state list,Akron Children's Hospital,is not offering vaccinations to the general public at this time. The hospital staff is helping to vaccinate school employees and Ohioans with developmental disabilities and medical conditions.
This week, Ohio residents70and older and thosewith developmental or intellectual disabilities coupled with severe congenital, developmentalor early-onset medical disorders now are eligible to get theCOVID-19 vaccine. Employees of K-12 schools who want to remain or return to in-person or hybrid learning are also eligible this week, and school districts are working on getting their employees vaccinated in the coming weeks.
Given the limited supply of vaccines, Ohio is using aphased approachto determinewho gets vaccinatedat this early stage. Local health departments and other vaccine providersare required to follow this guidance.
The public vaccination effort started in December with Phase 1A, which included front-line health care workers and long-term care residents and staff. It ramped up in mid-January when the first group of people inPhase 1B— people80 and older — were eligible to get the shot.
But it remains difficult to get a vaccine, as demand far outpaces supply, and vaccine availability and appointments remain extremely limited.
There isn't acentralized system to register to get vaccinated. Instead, each provider has a separate process. The onus has been placed onpeople to contact the locations directlyto schedule appointments.
The state said vaccine providers aren't expected to vaccinate everyone in each age group in one week. As new age groups start getting vaccines, previous age groups will continue receiving the vaccine.
Statewide, there are about 2.2 million people in Phase 1B, including about334,000 K-12 teachers and staff, androughly 1 million people in Phase 1A, accordingto the state.
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What conditions qualify to get the COVID-19 vaccine?
According to the state, people must have a developmental or intellectual disability and one of the following conditions: 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.
Local developmental disabilities advocates will contact those in this group to arrange vaccination.
Where can I find out about vaccineavailability?
A statewide list of vaccine providers is available atvaccine.coronavirus.ohio.gov, searchable by ZIPcode or county. The list isn'tupdated in real time, so people should check with the providers for up-to-date vaccine availability.
Those without internet access should contact the Summit County Public Health COVID-19 Call Line at330-926-5795.
Older adults with questions on the vaccination process should contact the Area Agencies on Aging at866-243-5678 (or online ataging.ohio.gov, for those with internet access).
Who can get the COVID-19 vaccine next?
Peopleage65 and older will be eligiblethe week of Feb. 8.
Those with a qualifying severe congenital, developmental, early-onsetor inherited condition without a developmental or intellectual disability will be eligible to be vaccinated beginningFeb. 15.
The list includescerebral 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; and alpha and beta thalassemia; and solid organ transplant patients.
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Is there a cost for the vaccine?
You shouldn't have to pay any out-of-pocket cost for the vaccine. If you have health insurance, the vaccine provider may bill your insurance company.
How manypeople have been vaccinated against COVID-19?
As of Monday afternoon, 853,965 people in Ohio had received the first dose of the two-shot regimen, or 7.31% of the state population,including37,594in Summit County, or 6.95% of the county population.
Where can I get a vaccine in Summit County?
Here is thelist of current Summit County vaccine provider locations:
Acme Pharmacy
• 3979 Medina Road, Akron, 330-666-3300
• 3235 Manchester Road, Akron, 330-644-0350
Those seeking a vaccine through Acme should visitacmestores.comand create or update their accounts to get communication about vaccine availability.
Only two Acme pharmacies are currently offering the vaccine, but all Acme pharmacies are ready to administer the COVID-19 vaccine when supplies allow.
Vaccines at Acme:Acme in Montrose gives first public vaccines to seniors ages 80 and older
Akron Children's Hospital (not open to the general public)
Akron Children’s Hospital is now listed on the Summit County Public Health and state of Ohio lists as a provider for the COVID-19 vaccine, but the hospital will not be vaccinating the general public at this time.
Children’s employees will be helping to vaccinate individuals with developmental disabilities, in conjunction with county boards, as well as helping to vaccinate teachers and staff in area school districts, said spokespersonHolly Pupino.
The hospital would stand ready to vaccinate the general public after it also works with its high-risk patients ages 16-26 with congenital or genetic disorders but without developmental disabilities. That group is scheduled for the week of Feb. 15, according to the state.
“We want nothing more than to help our communities, and we have a great system for moving lots of vaccines through in a limited time,” said Dr. Michael Bigham, chief quality officer for Akron Children’s Hospital. “We can’t wait to use that system to continue and expand our community partnerships —for both our patients and community members who are not our patients.”
AxessPointe
• 1400 S. Arlington St., Suite 38, Akron, 888-975-9188 or 330-564-2477
Appointments are required, and supply is limited. AxessPointe plans to keep a list of people interested in getting a vaccine and call them once their phase is reached.
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Cleveland Clinic
my.clevelandclinic.org/landing/covid-19-vaccine
• Akron General Health and Wellness Center Bath, 4125 Medina Road, 216-444-2538
The Cleveland Clinic is contacting its most vulnerable patients 70and older via phone calls or through its MyChart electronic medical records to schedule their vaccination appointments.Theclinic asked people not to contact it directly to try to schedule a vaccine appointment.
The Cleveland Clinic is encouraging patients to enroll in MyChart, which will be the primary method of contacting patients once they are eligible to receive the vaccine. To sign up for MyChart, visit clevelandclinic.org/mychart.
Discount Drug Mart
• 4044 Fishcreek Road, Stow, 330-688-6140
• 655 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-923-8332
• 5863 Darrow Road, Hudson, 330-342-5500
• 711 Canton Road, Akron, 330-794-1181
• 3100 Glenwood Blvd., Suite 294, Twinsburg, 330-405-6650
Those interested in registering can visitdiscount-drugmart.com/covid or call the Discount Drug Mart COVID-19 Vaccine Information phone lineat 844-625-0843, but demand is high. Those who register should receive regular communication from Discount Drug Mart on the details of the process.
Giant Eagle Pharmacy
• 1700 Corporate Woods Parkway, Green, 330-896-9787
• 2687 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-928-8844
• 230 Howe Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-929-6372
• 41 Fifth St.SE, Barberton, 330-861-0849
• 3750 W. Market St.,Fairlawn, 330-668-6605
• 2775 W.Market St., Fairlawn, 330-836-2036
• 484 E. Waterloo Road, Akron, 330-773-7772
• 2801 E. Waterloo Road, Akron, 330-628-6067
• 4300 Kent Road, Stow, 330-686-9121
• 1700 Norton Road, Stow, 330-650-4093
• 290 E. Aurora Road, Northfield, 330-468-3263
• 205 West Ave., Tallmadge, 330-634-0688
•8960 Darrow Road, Twinsburg, 330-405-7105
Giant Eagle's online vaccine appointment scheduling tool is at gianteagle.com/covidvaccine. On several days last week, the estimated wait time to access the site was more than an hour.More appointments will be loaded onto the site as individual pharmacies receive additional vaccine shipments.
Those without internet access can contact their local Giant Eagle pharmacy to ask about appointment availability, but the company stressed thatinitial appointments are expected to fill quickly and asked for patience.
Marc's Pharmacy
• 470 Howe Ave., Cuyahoga Falls, 330-928-8611
• 2753 W. Market St., Fairlawn, 330-869-0426
• 550 W. Aurora Road,Sagamore Hills, 330-468-4868
• 2891 E. Waterloo Road, Akron, 330-628-0781
• 3732 Darrow Road, Stow, 330-686-5285
• 360 E. Waterloo Road, Akron, 330-773-5554
Marc's did not return messages seeking comment about its vaccination process.
Summa Health
• Akron Campus, 141 N. Forge St., Akron, 234-867-7110
• Barberton Campus, 155 Fifth St. NE, Barberton, 234-867-7110
Summa Health will no longer make public COVID-19 vaccination appointments by phone. Summa patients who have a MyChart account and are eligible to receive the vaccine can make an appointment through MyChart on a first-come, first-served basis.
Summa patients 70and oldercan now go to MyChart and schedule an appointment if any are available; a waiting list is not being offered. Appointments are only available for Summa patients.
Vaccinations were to be begiven at the Akron and Barberton campuses.
More information is available atsummahealth.org/coronavirus/vaccine. To sign up for a MyChart account, visitsummahealth.org/mychart.
Summit County Public Health
• 1867 W. Market St., Akron, 330-926-5795 or 330-923-4891
Summit County Public Health established a sign-up to receive information only on getting a COVID-19 vaccine at tinyurl.com/SCPHvaccine.
When appointments are available, the department will send an email through the registry to notify people who are eligible. It will have a self-registration link to schedule the appointment on a first-come, first-served basis.
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VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System
Age-qualifying veteransenrolled in the Veterans AffairsNortheast Ohio Healthcare System (receiving care at Cleveland VA Medical Center or Akron, Canton, East Liverpool, Lake County, Lorain County, Mansfield, New Philadelphia, Parma, Ravenna, Sandusky, Warren or Youngstown VA clinics) are eligible to receive the vaccine through thesystem.
These veterans cancall theVA vaccine scheduling lineat 216-707-7660to make an appointment. Veterans will be scheduled for their first and second doses during the initial call.A high call volume and longer than usual wait times should be expected.The line will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, but a voicemail can be left if calling during off hours.
Veterans not enrolled in VA health care can contact the systemto discuss their eligibilityat 216-707-7914from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday throughFriday.
Walgreens
walgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid-19
• 302 Canton Road, Akron, 330-733-4237
• 361 E. Waterloo Road, Akron, 330-724-2709
• 663 E. Aurora Road, Macedonia, 330-468-4800
• 840 Brittain Road, Akron, 330-784-3907
• 3009 W. Market St., Fairlawn, 330-867-1946
• 900 Wooster Road North, Barberton, 330-745-2674
• 1130 S. Arlington St., Akron, 330-773-0857
• 1925 W. Market St., Akron, 330-869-2097
• 834 W. Market St., Akron, 330-434-4997
• 9043 Darrow Road, Twinsburg, 330-405-6268
Eligible Ohio residents will be able to schedule their appointments online and find a list of participating Walgreens locations to receive their vaccine at walgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid-19or by calling 800-WALGREENS (800-925-4733). The recording says in-store personnel are not able to make appointments and directs people to the website. Appointments will be required in order to receive a vaccine, and walk-ins are not accepted.
Western Reserve Hospital
• 1900 23rd St., Cuyahoga Falls
Western Reserve Hospital is now only registeringCOVID-19 vaccination appointments via an online portal at westernreservehospital.org. A previous phone line is no longer taking appointments.
University Hospitals
uhhospitals.org/services/covid-19-vaccine
There are no University Hospitals vaccination sites in Summit County;the only UH site for vaccines — by appointment only — is the UH Management Services Center, 3605 Warrensville Center Road,Shaker Heights.
Currently, anyone in Phase 1B can pre-register to receive a vaccine with UH, but UH is schedulingappointments in the order determined by the Ohio Department of Health andprioritizing the most vulnerable patients. You don’t have to be a prior UH patient to register to receive a vaccine with UH.
Those in Phase1B with internet access can pre-register onlineat vaccine.uhhospitals.org.
Those without internet access should call216-844-3339, choose option 2 and leave a voicemail.Someone will contact them to help them pre-register, and UH aims to return patient calls within 24 hours.
Those with access to the internetbut not to email or text should go to vaccine.uhhospitals.org, fill out the patient information, include their home home number in the home phone number field, choose "text" in the “I prefer to be contacted via” field,type in 000-000-0000 in the “Cell Phone Number” field and click submit. They should becontacted by phone on their home phone.
UH is currently building virtual infrastructure for online scheduling, where a patient will choose the day, time and location for their appointment online. UH aims to roll out this process by the middle of February.
Vaccine information
Direction Home Akron Canton, or the Area Agency on Aging that serves Summit, Portage, Stark and Wayne counties, is ready to help older adults navigate information about the vaccine but is not able to help schedule appointments, said Matt Reed, senior vice president for communications and administration.
“We have a lot of good information on the myths versusrealities of the vaccine, but we’ve been finding the people calling have already made up their mind about the vaccine, so they just want to know what the process is,” Reed said.
Reed said the agency may also be able to help people find transportation options to a vaccination appointment and can help people find providers and get signed up for registries.
The number to call Direction Home is 800-421-7277.
Transportation assistance
Metro RTA has been working with Summit County Public Health to coordinate transportation to the health department once vaccines become available to the general public, spokespersonClaire Merrick said.
Metro'sSCAT or paratransit service, which is available to Summit County residents 62 and older or those who have a temporary or permanent disability that prohibits the person from using the regular bus service, can be scheduled for a medical service to other locations for the vaccine, she said.
Metrois transporting qualified SCAT customers to the Summit County health departmentvaccine clinic at its West Akron location. Metro will transport the patient to a specifically designated entrance at the health department, where an employee will escort them to the clinic. The process is expected to last about45 minutes, and then the client will be returned home.
If a person is not registered for Metro SCAT service, they can register by calling 330-762-0341. Proof of age and residence are needed to register.
Reach Beacon Journal reporters Emily Mills at emills@thebeaconjournal.com and Betty Lin-Fisher at blinfisher@thebeaconjournal.com.
