District creates vaccination scheduling list

The Lake County General Health District announced that residents who qualify for Phase 1B of the novel coronavirus vaccine are now able to provide their names and contact information to be placed on a vaccination clinic scheduling list.

Those eligible in Phase 1B include those who are 65 years of age or older and/or have severe congenital developmental or early-onset medical disorders. Those working in K-12 schools returning to in-person learning on March first will be vaccinated in coordination with their school districts and should not complete this form, the health district stated.

To complete the form, Lake County residents can go to www.lcghd.org and click the button for

COVID-19 Vaccine Information. The form is linked under the Phase 1B heading. Those who complete the form will be contacted at a later date with instructions to schedule an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccination, the health district stated.

“COVID-19 vaccine is extremely limited, and LCGHD does not know how many doses will be received in the coming weeks,” the health district stated in a news release. “For this reason, completing a form does not guarantee a COVID-19 vaccine appointment. If you are in Phase 1B, and have previously contacted LC

GHD or submitted an inquiry, you will need to submit i nformation i n this new form to be placed on the list. Please complete one submission per eligible person.”

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said at a Jan. 8 news conference that Phase 1B of the COVID-19 vaccination process is expected to begin Jan. 19.

The governor said those 80 years of age and older will be prioritized first in that phase. DeWine said he anticipates that vaccinations for Ohioans 75 year of age and older will be available beginning Jan. 25. The following week (Feb. 1), it’s anticipated vaccinations will be available to those 65 and older.

The week of Jan. 25 will also mark the expected

vaccination availability for Ohioans with congenital, developmental, or early onset medical disorders, according to the governor’s office. Additional details about distribution for this group is forthcoming.

According to the Lake County General Health District, the Ohio Department of Health has indicated those with the following conditions are eligible for Phase 1B:

• Cerebral palsy

• Spina bifida • Congenital heart disease

• Type 1 diabetes • Inherited metabolic disorders

• Severe neurologic disorders including epilepsy

• Severe genetic disorders including Down Syndrome, Fragile X, Prader

Willi Syndrome, Turner Syndrome

• Severe lung disease including cystic fibrosis and severe asthma

• Sickle cell anemia • Alpha- and beta-thalassemia

The health district stated that list is subject to change.

As of Jan. 10, there have been 6,125 COVID-19 vaccinations started in Lake County, according to ODH. That represents 2.66 percent of the county’s population. There have been 297,013 vaccinations started statewide, representing 2.54 percent of Ohio’s population.