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CINCINNATI – Officials hope that a new website will serve as a one-stop-shop for information on eligibility and registration to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Residents of Cincinnati and Hamilton County can visit www.testandprotectcincy.com to find out who is eligible to receive the vaccine and to see a list of vendors who offer the vaccine. People who are not yet eligible for a photo can enter their information to receive updates.
People in the area who do not have Internet access can call 2-1-1 for assistance in navigating through all providers in the area. Cincinnati residents can call 513-357-7462 starting Tuesday. Officials stressed that people who have the option to register online should refrain from calling hotlines so that the lines are not overwhelmed.
Mayor John Cranley, Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus and health officials announced the deployment of the website and hotlines on Friday afternoon.
As of Monday, Ohioans aged 80 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. This stems from the fact that COVID-19 is the worst it has ever been in Hamilton County. Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus said on Friday that one in 14 Hamilton County residents had contracted the virus.
Driehaus said working with city officials to vaccinate people is vital as Hamilton County only receives 8,000 doses per week. Of that number, 7,000 go to Hamilton County Hospital Systems and 500 to Hamilton County Public Health. Each Kroger with a small clinic receives 100 doses per week.
“The vaccine is scarce right now… that says we have to make it as easy as possible for people to sign up,” Driehaus said.
Mayor John Cranley said this kind of infrastructure should have been created by the federal and state governments months ago, and he said it was a “disastrous decision” for the President’s administration. Donald Trump not to order more vaccines.
“We don’t want to give you the false impression that you can get the vaccine next week because we don’t have enough shots,” Cranley said.
But Cranley said he hopes the website and hotline will allow locals to line up when the vaccine is available to them.
In addition, Kroger stores in Hamilton County which have small clinics will provide vaccines. Starting Saturday, people can call 866-211-5320 for more information.
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