COVID-19 VACCINE INFORMATION

COVID-19 vaccine distribution has begun, starting with medical professionals, essential workers, and higher-risk populations. Decision making and distribution are happening at the state and local level, meaning there is no unified source for finding information and scheduling appointments. Therefore, I am compiling the information necessary for everyone in the Cincinnati Metropolitan Area to know when and how they can receive a vaccine as that information becomes available. If you are aware of any useful information I am missing, please let me know!

The best source of information should be your local health department. If you live in the United States, click here to find yours: https://www.naccho.org/membership/lhd-directory.

OHIO

Ohio is currently in phase 1A distribution, which focuses on medical professionals and extremely high-risk populations. The state will soon enter phase 1B, which covers older and other at-risk populations as well as K-12 educators and staff. More information and vaccinator locations can be found here: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/covid-19-vaccination-program.

Unfortunately, the state does not have a centralized waitlist, but many local health departments do. These are being compiled by the Cincinnati Enquirer: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2021/01/13/no-ohio-statewide-covid-vaccine-waitlist-but-some-health-departments-have-coronavirus-shot-list/6653160002/.

Note that signing up for a waitlist does not guarantee a vaccination appointment. Instead, you are signing up to receive information from your local health department when a vaccine becomes available to your demographic. Also, note that residents of Cincinnati must sign up through the Cincinnati Health Department and not that of Hamilton County.

KENTUCKY

Kentucky’s distribution plan is similar to that of Ohio, starting with medical professionals and extremely high-risk populations (phase 1A), and gradually working down to older populations, first responders, educators (phase 1B), higher-risk individuals, and essential workers (phase 1C). The commonwealth is currently in phase 1B, and more information can be found here: https://govstatus.egov.com/ky-covid-vaccine.

Residents of Boone, Campbell, Grant, and Kenton Counties can reserve vaccination appointments through the Northern Kentucky Health Department: https://nkyhealth.org/individual-or-family/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19-home/covid-19-vaccination/.

INDIANA

Indiana is currently vaccinating anyone 70 and older, healthcare workers/volunteers, and first responders. More information is available and vaccination appointments can be made here: https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/vaccine/.