Ohio’s biggest cities this week are getting the largest vaccination clinics the state has ever seen, delivering first doses to people in Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati.
The first opens Tuesday at Cleveland State University. Gov. Mike DeWine announced the goal of the mass vaccination clinics while on a tour of the university facility, “To make sure that every Ohioan, no matter where they live, whatever zip code they’re in, whatever their background, every Ohioan who wants this vaccine to get it. That’s really what this site that we’re at, at Cleveland State is all about.”
Other mass vaccinations are scheduled this week for St. John Arena at Ohio State University in Columbus and the Cintas Center at Xavier University in Cincinnati.
Even though the super-sized clinics are designed to maximize the outflow of the vaccine, there are still some limitations. People must register in advance, just like other vaccine events.
Also, the Governor’s age restrictions still apply, meaning people must be 50 years old and above to qualify for the vaccine.
DeWine also spent much of this past weekend visiting vaccine clinics around the state, including one in Greenville.
While touring those sites, DeWine said it appeared to him that some counties are already prepared for the next age range to qualify for the vaccine because their current clinics have some openings.
DeWine did not have a briefing Monday and is not expected to have another one until Thursday.
He may address the potential for another upcoming adjustment in the age range for the vaccine at his Thursday briefing.
Cleveland will be the first of what is expected to be many mass vaccination sites around the state in the coming months.
So far it has generated a lot of interest with appointments filling up fast. Ohio National Guard is operating the Cleveland site in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
They anticipate a big turnout and use of the facility’s massive space to maintain social distancing as people wait in line, get their shot and make their way out.
“We are trying to do the best we can and we are hoping to keep the flow consistent. We are hoping to keep the lines from going out the door,” said Brig. Gen. Rebecca O’Conner of the Ohio National Guard.
Details on the Dayton mass vaccination site have not been released yet.