Online vaccination scheduling tool now available
Logan County Health District officials reported at their Wednesday afternoon meeting about a successful first run of a drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination clinic hosted Tuesday, and also detailed a new online vaccination scheduling tool that should make the task much less cumbersome for staff and clients alike.
Nursing Director Kelly Reaver said at the mass clinic hosted at the Logan County Fairgrounds, 337 doses of the vaccine were administered to individuals with scheduled appointments who did not have to leave their vehicles. Nearly 50 staff members and volunteers assisted with the coordinated effort, and a photo from the clinic appeared in Wednesday’s Examiner.
“It took a lot of planning and many people to pull it off so that the clinic went smoothly,” Reaver said. “Our staff worked so hard, and we greatly appreciate our volunteers who stepped up as well, both on the clerical and medical side. They have been very faithful in supporting us.
“We also had Robinaugh EMS on site assisting us; they were wonderful. It’s been so encouraging seeing how our community bands together to meet any need that we have during this time.”
Board member Chris Watkins was one of the volunteers who worked at the fairgrounds Tuesday. She related a story of a woman who told her the drive-thru clinic was personally helpful to her so that she could get both of her parents vaccinated at the same time and didn’t have to worry about getting her parents out of the car.
“It was a great experience,” Watkins said. “I had a number of people tell me how easy it was and that the line of cars moved pretty quickly.”
Reaver said next month, the agency plans to host another drive-thru clinic at the fairgrounds for those with scheduled appointments, this time with the goal of vaccinating 600 individuals.
Related to the online COVID-19 vaccination scheduling tool, residents can visit the health district’s website at www.loganhealth.org and click on the “Schedule COVID-19 vaccination” button on the home page. They will then be directed to the Ohio Department of Health’s website, gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov, and be asked to fill out screening information to see if they are eligible for the vaccination.
If they are eligible to receive the vaccine, they will be able to sign up for open appointment times offered by the Logan County Health District (or other area providers that they select) and will be provided with further information.
Beginning today, vaccinations are available for Ohioans age 50 and older, along with individuals with certain medical conditions not addressed in previous phases, including type 2 diabetes and end-stage renal disease, according to Governor Mike DeWine’s Office.
The nursing director said with the vaccinations being opened up to more individuals who are in the labor force, the health district also is offering some longer clinic hours stretching into the evening and also has Saturday clinics planned.
Considering the complicated nature of scheduling vaccinations with the three types of the vaccine available — Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson — each of which have different requirements, the scheduling tool available through the state is helpful in keeping everything in order, Reaver said.
Since Dec. 28, the health district has administered a total of 3,051 doses of the vaccine, which includes 1,028 first and second doses of the Moderna vaccine and 2,023 first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine. The LCHD’s administration of the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine begins this week.
Also in recent weeks, the county’s COVID-19 cases “have plummeted,” Reaver said. At the end of February, case counts had dropped to levels not seen since the mid-October, according to health district statistics.
The Ohio Department of Health is still assisting with contract tracing duties. Individuals with a positive test will receive an automated phone call.
In other action during the meeting, the board approved a position description for both the health commissioner and medical director and authorized Deputy Health Commissioner Donna Peachey to advertise for the positions once the descriptions are finalized.
At last month’s meeting, the board issued a six-month contract to longtime Health Commissioner Dr. Boyd Hoddinott, which continues through Oct. 1.
Dr. Hoddinott is working toward retirement, but is considering the possibility as serving as a medical director alongside a new health commissioner. In that scenario, that board would be able to hire a health commissioner who has a master of public health degree.
Members also honored Environmental Health Director Tim Smith as the employee of the month. He has worked at the agency for more than 35 years and was lauded for being a “mentor to many people here,” and as “having a reasonable approach toward working with the many businesses in the community during the pandemic,” Peachey said.
In personnel matters, the board hired Justin Noble as an IT general assistant, effective March 22.
The Logan County Health District Advisory Board meets at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 25, at the Logan County Fairgrounds Grange Building.
The next regular board meeting is 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 14, at the health district, 310 S. Main St.