Most independent pharmacies continue to wait on the sidelines of Ohio s COVID-19 vaccination rollout despite their repeated pleas to be included in the public health campaign to end the pandemic.
Barry Klein, president and owner of Cuyahoga Fall s based Klein s Pharmacy, wrote a letter to Gov. Mike DeWine last weekend imploring him to let independent pharmacies do their part. We have been prepared for weeks; however, we continue to be overlooked, putting our pharmacy and our patients at a disadvantage and giving the perception to the public that we are incapable of providing this service, he wrote in his letter.
As Ohio tries to bolster its COVID-19 vaccine distribution, a neighbor to the south may offer a possible strategy.
West Virginia is one of the leading states when it comes to vaccinating its residents and has leaned heavily on its independent pharmacies to make headway. In Ohio, just 20 of roughly 500 independent pharmacies are administering the vaccine so far, said Ernest Boyd, executive director of the Ohio Pharmacists Association.
As of Wednesday, 12.4% of West Virginia s nearly 1.8 million residents had received at least one shot compared with 9.2% of Ohio s 11.7 million residents, according to data provided by each state to Bloomberg s COVID-19 vaccine tracker.
Whom does Phase 2 include?
So far, the move to Phase 2 has meant expanding eligibility to those between 60 and 64 years old. The next groups, announced March 8, include:
Ohioans 50 to 59 years old
Ohioans with Type 2 diabetes
Ohioans in end-stage renal failure
Further developments in Phase 2 are yet to be announced.
Whom does Phase 1C include?
Ohioans with certain conditions or professions that put them at risk of contracting COVID-19 are the latest group to receive the vaccine.
The new professions included in Phase 1C include:
law enforcement and correction officers
child care service workers
What do you do if you fit these conditions? How do you get the vaccine?
Feb 10, 2021
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Nursing home workers who declined the coronavirus vaccine during the first round of shots will be given another opportunity to take it, Gov. Mike DeWine said Tuesday as he outlined plans for providing ongoing access to the vaccine in the state’s long-term care facilities.
Only about four of every 10 nursing home and assisted-living facility employees have received it, the governor has said. Workers have cited distrust of the vaccine and concern about side effects.
Providing that second opportunity is part of the state’s plan to make vaccines available for new residents and employees of nursing homes and assisted living facilities now that the initial round of shots is over. Details are coming next week.