CINCINNATI – The authorities hope that a new website will serve as a one-stop shop for information on eligibility and registration to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Cincinnati and Hamilton County residents can visit www.testandprotectcincy.com for information on who is eligible to receive the vaccine and to see a list of providers offering the vaccine. People who are not yet qualified to take a chance can enter their information to receive updates.
People in the region who do not have access to the Internet can call 2-1-1 for help navigating through all providers in the area. Cincinnati residents can call 513-357-7462 starting on Tuesday. The authorities emphasized that people who can apply online should avoid calling the hotlines so that the lines are not overloaded.
Mayor John Cranley, Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus, and health officials announced the launch of the website and hotlines on Friday afternoon.
As of Monday, Ohio citizens aged 80 and over are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. This occurs when COVID-19 is the worst that has ever existed in Hamilton County. On Friday, Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus said that 1 in 14 Hamilton County residents contracted the virus.
Driehaus said collaboration with city officials to vaccinate people is vital because Hamilton County receives only 8,000 doses a week. Of these, 7,000 go to hospital systems and 500 go to Hamilton County Public Health. Each Kroger with a small clinic receives 100 doses per week.
“The vaccine is scarce at the moment … that said we need to make it as easy as possible for people to apply,” said Driehaus.
Mayor John Cranley said this type of infrastructure should have been created by the federal and state governments months ago and said it was a “disastrous decision” for President Donald Trump’s government not to ask for more vaccines.
“We don’t want to give the false impression that you can be vaccinated next week, because we don’t have enough vaccine,” said Cranley.
But Cranley said he hopes the website and the hotline will allow people in the region to get in line when the vaccine is available.
In addition, Kroger stores in Hamilton County that have Little Clinics will provide vaccines. Starting on Saturday, people can call 866-211-5320 for more information.