By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Some weeks more vaccine shipments come to Wood County than expected. Other weeks – like this one – the doses trickle in.
Typically, Wood County Health Department officials are told each Thursday how many doses they will receive the next Tuesday or Wednesday.
Last week, the health department was in line to get 1,200 doses. But more doses became available unexpectedly – giving the county a total of nearly 1,800 to put into arms.
“That’s a good problem to have,” Wood County Health Commissioner Ben Robison said on Monday.
This week, the story is different, with the health department being told to expect just 200 doses of the vaccine.
“We’ve heard that the vaccines are going to increase,” Robison said. “This is a challenging time right now – with a limited supply with overwhelming demand.”
“We’re having to make really difficult decisions,” he said. “I wish we had enough vaccine for everyone who wants it.”
Second doses…
A small group of people in Wood County – some working in health care – have already received their second doses of the vaccine.
In Wood County, in most cases, people will get their second doses at the same location where they received their first doses, Robison.
“For the most part, we are scheduling them for their second doses when they get their first doses,” Robison said. “It’s not going to be a perfect system.”
Health department officials expect to begin soon to get two shipments of the vaccine each week – one for people needing their first doses, and another for people needing their second doses.
While the period between doses is 21 days for the Pfizer vaccine and 28 days for the Moderna vaccine, there is a little wiggle room.
“Those are target dates, but there’s a grace period,” Robison said.
New guidance from the Ohio Department of Health sets a grace period for both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines as four days before the targeted second dose date, and up to six weeks (42 days) after the first dose.
The priority will be to complete the second doses rather than start more first doses, Robison said. The health department has kept a reserve of 50 doses if needed to complete the second doses.
No waste…
The Wood County Health Department is working hard to make sure no doses of the vaccines are wasted. There are times when pre-arranged vaccinations end up with some extra doses from open vials that must be used within a few hours before they expire.
“We are working judiciously in Wood County,” Robison said. “We’re being really conscientious about how we use those doses.”
As long as there is time, those doses go to older county residents who have agreed to be available at short notice for shots. If no one is available, then first responders who have made themselves available can get the vaccines.
When it’s your turn…
Vaccine opportunities will be posted at Vaccine.WoodCountyHealth.org
Each week, the required age to be eligible for vaccines will be reduced by five years. So this schedule will be followed:
- Week of Jan. 19 – People 80 and older became eligible for the vaccine.
- Week of Jan. 25 – People 75 and older are eligible, along with people who have severe congenital or developmental disorders.
- Week of Feb. 1 – People age 70 or older are eligible, as are employees of K-12 schools that commit to in-person or hybrid education.
- Week of Feb. 8 – People 65 and older become eligible.
For vaccines administered by the Wood County Health Department, a mobile application and website called ArmorVax will be used for registration. Details about this can be found at Vaccine.WoodCountyHealth.org.
Some residents have been having difficulty signing up with the app. Robison said the health department is working with the ArmorVax to clear up issues.
People who would like to speak to someone to schedule an appointment, can call 419-352-8402 and choose option 1. During the initial launch, the Health Department is partnering with the Wood County Committee on Aging and 2-1-1, which are providing support for vaccination scheduling.
Public and private K-12 schools are working with the Wood County Health Department to develop their vaccination plans, which can begin the week of Feb. 1. Each school district may take different approaches, based on their specific needs. Schools will be releasing details directly to their eligible staff.
Robison said the vaccines for school staffs are for those “directly involved in the delivery of education.”
