Mass vaccine clinic opens to Ohioans
Site aims to give thousands of doses a day
On Monday, the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility opened to all adults in Ohio, and as shots become more widely available, the state is sponsoring 18 regional mass vaccination clinics to ensure Ohioans have access. The sites are in addition to the many hospital systems, pharmacies and health departments helping to keep up with vaccine demand.
On Monday, a steady stream of vehicles lined up at the drivethru vaccination site at the the Ohio Expo Center & State Fair’s Celeste Center.
Appointments are available at the Celeste Center on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
“To be a regional mass vaccination center means that we’re going to have more vaccine, not only to give to our residents here in Columbus and Franklin County, but also to give throughout the region,” said Columbus Public Health Commissioner Dr. Mysheika Roberts. “And so we’re ready and up for that challenge and happy to be able to protect as many Ohioans as possible.”
Roberts said the center expects to give a minimum of 2,000 doses of the vaccination per day and increase it to 3,000 shots per day in the next few weeks.
Those interested can book online via Columbus.gov/publichealth, using the Ohio Department of Health’s vaccine website at gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov or by calling 614-645-1519.
The long-term, drive-thru mass vaccination clinic, at 717 E. 17th Ave., is managed by Columbus Public Health with support from the Ohio Department of Health and Ohio Emergency Management Agency.
Columbus Public Health had about 1,900 shots to administer at the Celeste Center on Monday, mostly of the Pfizer vaccine, said spokesman Myles Bell. Despite the steady stream of cars – often carrying multiple patients – Amy Haman, a registered nurse working with Columbus Public Health, said distribution was going smoothly.
Haman, who has been administering vaccinations full time since January, was charged with measuring out Pfizer doses from the vials. Each vial is diluted with saline and has enough vaccine for six shots.
“So far we’ve done 1,800 doses,” Haman said.
When patients arrive, they go through appointment registration, get the shot and pull out into a parking lot where they are instructed to wait for 15 minutes before leaving. They never leave their vehicle. Bell said paramedics are on the scene in the event someone has an allergic reaction.
Westerville resident Allison Develvis, 38, and her husband, 39-year-old Jason, received their first dose Monday
at the Celeste Center. Being in the last eligibility group to receive the vaccine, Allison said she had concerns about getting an appointment, but found the process smooth thanks to the center’s volunteers and efficient system.
The Develvises joked that although they don’t quite have a desire to be in crowds again, they are looking forward to seeing friends and family without worry.
“My sister-in-law had the virus back like a year ago, and it was really, really horrible for her,” Allison Develvis said. “She was really sick, and so I’m just really excited to have science and be able to get this vaccine and feel safer and more confident being back out in the world again.”
Jeff Holmes, 60, and his wife, 62-year-old Brenda, of Worthington had COVID-19 in late November and said they wouldn’t want to go through the experience again. They received
their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine at the Celeste Center on Monday.
“They’ve got it down,” Brenda Holmes said. “We ended up getting out earlier than we expected. Last time, it took 35 minutes total, including the waiting.”
Franklin County residents who need transportation to an appointment can call 614-259-7391. And people age 60 or older can call the Franklin County Office on Aging at 614-525-6200.
Another pop-up clinic at St. John Arena at Ohio State University administered first doses March 18-21 and will administer second doses April 8-11.
As of Sunday, more than 3.2 million Ohioans received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Ohio Department of Health COVID-19 vaccination dashboard. sszilagy@gannett.com @sarahszilagy escottmoran@gannett.com @emmascottmoran