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Hamilton Co. Wants To Ramp Up Vaccine Distribution, Still Hampered By Low Supply

91.7 WVXU | By Becca Costello

Published January 26, 2021 at 5:04 AM EST

A nurse prepares a shot as a study of a possible COVID-19 vaccine, developed by the National Institutes of Health and Moderna Inc., in Binghamton, N.Y.

Hamilton County officials say they hope President Joe Biden's federal plan will speed up COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Commissioner Denise Driehaus says the county is getting about 8,000 doses of vaccine a week, but the vast majority go to local hospital systems.

"Only a thousand have been split between the county and the city public health," Driehaus said. "We are trying to distribute that and make it as accessible as possible, but we're only doing 500 doses."

Ohio residents age 75 and older are now eligible to get vaccinated, along with several other priority groups.

About 44,000 Hamilton County residents have gotten at least the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to the state health department. That's 5.36% of the county population.

Nick Crossley is director of the county's Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency. He says the vaccine distribution plan will include partnering with private sector pharmacies.

"So you got CVS on every corner, you got a Walgreens on every corner, and the vaccine - especially if you don’t have insurance - is paid for by the federal government."

A map of providers who can currently administer the vaccine to anyone eligible is available at . Ohioans who have difficulty getting online can dial 2-1-1 for help.