By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
COVID-19 vaccinations will soon be delivered to doorsteps here in Wood County.
Each week, the Wood County Health Department holds multiple mass vaccination clinics in different areas of the county. The efforts have resulted in Wood County having the third highest vaccination rate among the state’s 88 counties, with 44.18%, or 57,790 people, getting at least the first dose of the vaccine so far.
But health department officials are seeing the numbers drop off at the mass vaccination clinics – and are trying a different approach starting Friday.
It’s called the “Vaccine on Demand” program, and involves special delivery of the doses.
Through the pilot program, Wood County residents will have the opportunity to schedule vaccines for one or more people at any location in Wood County – at homes, businesses, churches, and other settings convenient for those needing the vaccine.
“Wood County Health Department is committed to ensuring all Wood County residents have access to COVID-19 vaccines,” a press release sent out Wednesday stated.
“This will ensure convenience to everyone in the county, so there are no barriers,” said Kami Wildman, outreach and enrollment specialist at the Wood County Community Health Center.
The purpose of the new program is to reach people who face challenges traveling to vaccination clinics – for example, a parent with small children at home.
Scheduling for the Vaccine on Demand appointments will begin on Friday.
Anyone interested in scheduling an appointment will need to provide the location where the vaccine is to be administered and the number of people to be vaccinated there. Wood County Health Department nurses will travel to that location and administer the vaccines. They will remain at the location for 15 minutes or so after the vaccination to monitor those who received the shots.
This will be similar to the program already in place for vaccinating elderly residents and individuals who are homebound.
The nurses will arrive within a one-hour period of the appointment time.
The Vaccine on Demand appointments will be available each week.
Additional information on this pilot program and a link for scheduling will be available this Friday at noon at Vaccine.WoodCountyHealth.org or by calling 419-823-9512.
Individuals who are 16 years of age and older are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines. The Pfizer vaccine is the only COVID-19 vaccine authorized for use for those younger than 18. Children who are age 16 and 17 must have a parent or legal guardian present to receive the vaccine.
