First COVID vaccines given in Coshocton County
After months of wondering when the vaccine for COVID-19 would be available, the first doses have been given in Coshocton County.
According to Steve Lonsinger, health commissioner for Coshocton County, the county and city health departments each received 100 doses of the vaccine. “Each week, the allotment could be a different amount. Other vaccine providers, such as pharmacies and clinics, will also be receiving the vaccine as it becomes available.”
The focus with this first round of vaccines is care facility staff and residents. Jesse Christmas, public health emergency preparedness coordinator, said that Coshocton Regional Medical Center also received doses for their staff and that county emergency medical service personnel are also able to get the vaccine. “We are trying to get the first doses to those who are in constant contact with people who are sick.”
“Governor DeWine has indicated that school employees and those who are 65 years old and older will be the next group offered the vaccine. A date for the next phase hasn’t been announced, yet,” Lonsinger said.
When asked how the public seems to be responding to the vaccine, Lonsinger said, “Understandably, some folks may be hesitant about receiving a new vaccine. As the thousands of people who received the vaccine turn into millions, I expect people to gain confidence in the vaccine’s safety and be less hesitant about getting one.”
Christmas said the county health department has been getting a lot of calls asking when the vaccine will be available for the public. “I haven’t gotten any negative comments about it – only people wanting to know when they will be able to receive it.”
Category: People & Places
