Getting a COVID-19 vaccine just became even easier.
Hamilton County Public Health introduced its first walk-up vaccination clinic last week to reach more people who were having trouble making online or phone appointments. The clinic was held at the county’s Board of Elections building in Norwood.
The clinic was a success, so the department now will continue hosting walk-up vaccinations at the BOE for the foreseeable future.
Walk-up vaccinations are available 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday at the Board of Elections, 2300 Wall St. No appointments are necessary, and providers will offer vaccines until the supply runs out.
Hamilton County residents still have the option to make appointments for COVID-19 vaccination with other providers through ArmorVax or by calling 513-999-2312. Details are on the county's website.
During a briefing on April 14, Alicia Reece, vice president of the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners, said that walk-in clinics provide opportunities for more people to get a vaccine.
“One of the issues, the barriers, was some people having a technology issue in terms of registering. So now we’ll be able to pilot (this) and see how the walk-ups are,” Reece said at the time. “It’s something that we have also been asking the governor to consider.”
Last week’s clinic administered doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, which is authorized for use by people age 16 and older. It requires two doses about 21 days apart.
More than 300,000 Hamilton County residents have received at least one dose of the Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines as of last Tuesday, said Greg Kesterman, public health commissioner for Hamilton County.
He added that Hamilton County was seeing about 98 COVID-19 cases per day at the time, compared to a much more grim 716 cases per day at the county's winter peak back on Dec. 10.
Hamilton County is aiming to vaccinate 80% of its residents by July 4.
