CLEVELAND, Ohio – More than 17,000 Ohio residents signed up today, the first day of registration for the COVID-19 mass vaccination site at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center, said Governor Mike DeWine during his news conference at Thursday.
“We’ve already started well,” said DeWine.
Vaccinations will begin Wednesday. The Wolstein Center location will be able to deliver up to 6,000 vaccines a day, seven days a week, for eight weeks.
Ohio residents can access the state’s new COVID-19 vaccine website to register for vaccines at the Wolstein Center and elsewhere.
The eligibility age of the COVID-19 vaccine fell on Thursday for people aged 50 and over, people with type 2 diabetes and end-stage kidney disease.
Mass vaccination sites and the state’s new central registration portal are attempts to streamline the process of locating vaccination appointments.
The launch was criticized for being frustrating and time consuming. The elderly and those who do not have access to the Internet have relatives or friends, who spend days trying to schedule appointments.
As of Thursday, several appointments were at stake at the Wolsten Center, and the site appeared to be working perfectly.
On Thursday morning, the closest date available at the Wolstein Center was Saturday, March 20, and seven appointments were free. There were 19 spots available for Sunday, March 21.
On Thursday afternoon, 17 places were available for Monday, March 22, and 24 places were open on Tuesday, March 23.
It seems that the portal opens only two days at a time for photos on the Wolstein website; when these two days are filled, two more dates are made available. Only two dates are available at a time. For example, appointment dates at the end of March and April were not accessible on Thursday.
“This mass vaccination is a joint partnership with many organizations, including FEMA. As such, we are working closely with FEMA on how and when to make commitments, ”said DeWine spokeswoman, Alicia Shoults, by email. “More appointments will be added in the coming days, and Ohio residents are encouraged to continue checking the site.”
The new state vaccine clearinghouse also displays appointment times available at some providers, but directs users to provider sites at other locations, such as Walgreen’s, Giant Eagle and Marc’s.
More vaccine appointments in Wolstein and other providers will be available on the state’s new portal in the coming days, DeWine said.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is sending employees to Cleveland to assist state and local providers with Wolstein Center operations.
You have questions about the Wolstein mass vaccination site and we have the answers. The information came from FEMA, the Wolstein Center and Cleveland State University.
When will the site be opened?
Seven days a week, from 8 am to 8 pm
Which vaccines will be administered?
The first and second doses of Pfizer will be administered in the first six weeks. The type of vaccine for weeks 7 and 8 is still being decided.
Will people be able to choose the vaccine they will receive?
Only one type of vaccine will be available when the site is opened.
When do I get back to the second photo?
Book your first appointment now. Come back later if your vaccine provider does not instruct you on how to make a second appointment. Your second dose will be needed 21 days after the first consultation for the Pfizer vaccine.
Will there be a drive-thru option in Wolstein?
No drive-thru options are planned for the location.
Where can I park?
There are about 9,000 parking spaces in four blocks from the site.
Will there be free parking?
Yes, vaccinated people at the Wolstein Center will have free parking. There will be more than 1,000 spaces available for free parking (the list of lots is not yet complete), and at CSU’S South Garage at 2101 E. 21st Street.
What about security procedures?
Normal security procedures will be in place for entry to the Wolstein Center. Complete security procedures will be released soon. A list of prohibited items is here.
Answers to your questions about the coronavirus vaccine:
Should cancer patients receive the coronavirus vaccine?
Can you order a coronavirus vaccine if you have questions about the other?
Should you get the coronavirus vaccine if you have had a negative reaction to the flu vaccine?
Are you contagious if you have side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine?
Can you mix and match two doses of coronavirus vaccine from different manufacturers?
Can I still get my second dose of coronavirus vaccine if I develop COVID-19 symptoms after the first one?
Should you get the second vaccine if you get COVID-19 after the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine?
Will your COVID-19 vaccine be less effective if you need to wait longer for the second dose?
If the coronavirus vaccine is 95% effective, how will you know if it is in the other 5%?
Why do I need to keep a mask on if I have been vaccinated against the coronavirus?