LONG LINE FOR VACCINE–Pictured is just a part of the line of those waiting to get the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday at the Monroe County Fairgrounds. Traffic was reported to wrap around the fairgrounds. As Monroe County doesn’t have a hospital, Health Department Director John Wagner felt the fairground gave them the largest area to handle a crowd. Photo courtesy of the Republic-Times.
Local vaccination efforts are continuing as Randolph County transitions into Phase 1b this week and Monroe County held a successful COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Monday.
In her Jan. 14 report, Randolph County Health Department Administrator Angela Oathout noted that the county “is completing Phase 1a groups and planning to move into Phase 1b as early as the week of Jan. 19, 2021; contingent on the availability of vaccine. The next target group will be the age 65 and older individuals.”
Phase 1b covers frontline essential workers (including first responders, educators, those in food and agriculture, manufacturing, corrections workers and inmates, USPS workers, public transit workers, grocery store workers, and staff at shelters and day cares), as well as residents age 65 and older.
Oathout noted, “The local hospitals and healthcare providers along with the health department will work diligently to vaccinate those who seek the vaccine as long as the supply can meet the demand.”
For more vaccination information, please see this week’s print edition.