GPH: Hold Off On Vaccine Appointments

January 27, 2021 by Amy Patterson

In a Facebook post Jan. 24, Geauga Public Health announced its weekly COVID-19 vaccine appointments were already filled and asked the public not to call seeking the shot.

“When people get their first dose from us, we schedule their second dose four weeks later. The reason we are already scheduled is that we are getting those second doses in,” the post said.

On Jan. 25, GPH Commissioner Tom Quade posted again, during what he said was a conference call with Gov. Mike DeWine.

“(The governor) is reminding us that the reason we are not able to get more doses locally is because the state is not getting enough at the state level,” Quade said, adding the state continues to add eligible groups without providing enough doses to vaccinate those already eligible, but not vaccinated due to shortages.

“It is especially confusing since the state knows they don’t have enough vaccine and, while that is beyond their control, they continue to tell more and more people they are eligible knowing full well we won’t have enough doses to meet the expectations the state is setting up,” Quade said.

State Rep. Diane Grendell jumped into the comments section to ask why Quade gave the vaccine to county prisoners. Quade referred her to The Geauga County Maple Leaf article from the previous week, in which he indicated the vaccinations happened before those in the over-80 age group were eligible.

“I … do not rely on articles in the oft incorrect Maple Leaf,” Grendell responded. “What you have NOT done is answer my question: why would you give priority to lawbreakers over law-abiding, tax-paying Geauga County seniors?”

“The seniors are in Phase 1B, but you probably know that as a state leader,” Quade replied. “Had I not provided the vaccine to the 30 corrections officers, the sheriff and the 15 inmates, I would still not have been able to give them to the seniors per the governor’s plan. Since that time, we have vaccinated approximately 600 people in Phase 1B, many of whom were our seniors.”

On Jan. 26, GPH announced the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is now offering COVID-19 vaccines to veterans 75 and older. The VA Vaccine Scheduling Line can be reached at 216-707-7660.

Veterans who are over 75 and are not enrolled in VA healthcare can contact VANEOHS Outreach to discuss their eligibility Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 216-707-7914.

Quade continued to encourage the public to check www.gphohio.org for up-to-date information on vaccine availability.