In order to assist in the distribution process for the COVID-19 vaccine, the Ottawa County Health Department (OCHD) has created a pre-registration form to collect information from residents who would be interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. This information will be used to help local partners to plan for vaccine distribution as it becomes available in each phase.

Once Ottawa County begins each vaccination phase, the Ottawa County Health Department will notify individuals qualifying for that phase via the phone number or email address provided.

The first shipments of the Moderna vaccine for COVID-19 have been administered to front line health care workers, first responders, group homes and congregate living facilities.

Residents should double check their contact information as it is vitally important to ensure the OCHD can reach them when vaccinations will be ready.

The form can be accessed online at ottawahealth.org, said Ottawa County Health Commissioner Jerry Bingham.

“For those individuals who have a disability, no access to technology or are experiencing technical issues in completing this form, contact the United Way 2-1-1 telephone line for assistance,” said Bingham. “As of Monday morning, we have already registered 2,553 people from Ottawa County,.”

Nursing home workers and residents in Ottawa County have been getting the vaccine from Walgreens and CVS drug companies. Only about 300 of the pother doses of the vaccines have been received in Ottawa County since distribution began on Dec. 22. Bingham, and health departments around the country, are hopeful more of the vaccines will arrived this week.

A common complaint around the country has been the limited number of vaccines heading to rural counties. President-elect Joe Biden has recently pushed the federal government to ship all of the vaccines that are now available, and hoping the needed second dose of the vaccines will be available.

When pre-registering, each Ottawa County resident being vaccinated needs to complete a separate form, as some individuals within a family may be eligible for vaccination at different times.

Next Anticipated Phase: 1B

• Ohioans, age 65 and older
• Younger people with severe congenital, developmental, or early-onset medical disorders that make them particularly vulnerable –  such as cerebral palsy; spina bifida; congenital heart disease; type 1 diabetes; inherited metabolic disorders; severe neurologic disorders including epilepsy; severe genetic disorders including Down Syndrome, Fragile X, Prader Willi Syndrome, Turner Syndrome; severe lung disease including cystic fibrosis and severe asthma; sickle cell anemia; and alpha- and beta-thalassemia.
• Adults/employees who work in schools (K-12)

On Thursday, Jan. 7, Gov. Mike DeWine announced the following schedule for Phase 1B vaccine distribution:

• Week of Monday, Jan. 18 – Ohioans 80-plus years of age
• Week of Monday, Jan. 25 – Ohioans 75-plus years of age and individuals with severe congenital, development, or early onset medical disorders
• Week of Monday, Feb. 1 – Ohioans 70-plus years of age and adults or employees who work in schools (K-12)
• Week of Monday, Feb. 8 – Ohioans 65-plus years of age

All vaccine distribution is subject to availability of doses allocated for the Ottawa County Health Department.

“We are thrilled about being able to provide our staff with this added layer of protection against COVID-19,” said Nick Marsico, President & CEO of Magruder Hospital. “The vaccine has proven safe and effective in trials with minimal side effects. This is welcomed and exciting news for Magruder employees and our community. Hopefully this will mark the turning point towards the end of this pandemic.

“At this time, there are a limited number of vaccines available,” said Marsico. “Magruder Hospital looks forward to working with and supporting the Health Department in vaccinating our community. If Magruder receives doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for the general public, this information will be communicated on our website, social media platforms, and through our physician offices.”

For latest updated information on how Magruder is handling COVID-19, visit https://www.magruderhospital.com/covid-19-information.