Over one third start vaccine

Counties lead charge in administering doses to residents in COVID-19 fight

There were 4,875 novel coronavirus vaccine doses administered during the March 31 mass vaccination clinic held at Mentor High School, according to information from the Lake County General Health District. The clinic was the county’s first mega-Point of Distribution (POD) and the second is being held April 7 at Lakeland Community College in Kirtland. The health district stated more clinics at Lakeland are being planned. As of April 2, there have been 77,532 vaccines started in Lake County, according to the Ohio Department of Health. That represents 33.69 percent of its total population. Registration for the mega-Pod clinics can be done using the Armor Vax scheduling system. New appointments will be open every Monday. Those without email addresses and/or needing assistance making appointments can call 440-350-2684 on Mondays and Tuesdays, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

For more information, visit www.lcghd.org. In Geauga County, there have been 32,387 vaccines started according to the Ohio Department of Health. That represents 34.58 percent of the county’s population. Geauga County has had the highest percentage of residents who have started the vaccination process in Northeast Ohio. Geauga Public Health Director Tom Quade said he has “no doubt that every health district in the state is doing everything humanly possible as they have been for more than a year now.” “It is less remarkable to me that Geauga County is leading the way,” Quade said. “What is most remarkable to me is the incredibly high level of ongoing commitment demonstrated by my team here. They have amazing staying power, personal and professional resolve, and an esprit de corps beyond anything I have witnessed before. “I have to believe that is some of what supports the successes in vaccination coverage.” Beginning April 13, Geauga Public Health’s office will be closed on Tuesdays through the end of July to staff mass vaccination clinics. All staff will be working at the mass vaccination drive through clinics at the Geauga County Fairgrounds, located at 14373 N Cheshire St. in Burton, according to a Geauga Public Health news release. Those who want to get vaccinated will need to schedule an appointment for the vaccination. The scheduling website can be found at https://vaccine.GPHOhio.org. Only first doses can be scheduled using the application, according to the release. All second doses will be scheduled at the time the first dose is given. “The current plan is for the second doses to follow 30 days later at the same time and location of the first dose,” the release stated. Because Geauga Public Health has only received the Moderna vaccine, only those 18 and older are able to receive vaccines from the health department, according to the news release. Statewide, there have been more than 3.5 million vaccinations started as of April 2, representing 30.55 percent of Ohio’s population.

SHEENA HOLLAND DOLAN — THE NEWS-HERALD A member of the Wickliffe Fire Department administers a dose of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine at the mass vaccination clinic on March 31.