Dozens of vaccination sites across the Tri-State now offer COVID-19 shots to eligible people. With many sites located in hospitals, pharmacies, supermarkets, convention centers and arenas, could that system leave out the homebound?
WCPO viewer Patricia Keller asked how her mother, who is 95 and homebound, and other seniors could still receive their shots.
Dr. Steve Feagins, chief clinical officer at Mercy Health and medical director of Hamilton County Public Health, said leaders are working to get vaccines to those stuck inside.
“We know there are about 26,000 (Ohio) residents who have home health,” he said.
Ohio could model other states that have paramedicine, he said, where EMTs give doses and are legally able to go to people's homes. Feagins said some local fire chiefs have supported the idea.
Meanwhile, Ohio’s Council On Aging and United Way 211 offer transportation to seniors who can’t drive themselves to vaccine clinics.
While the main focus right now is to take people to the vaccine, he also said leaders are working on a plan with home health agencies to bring vaccines to those homebound.
“But we are definitely working to get a process to get vaccine to people's homes,” Feagins said.
This month, WCPO 9 is taking your questions about COVID-19 vaccines and posing them to local health care experts. Email newsdesk@wcpo.com or message @KristynHartmanWCPO on Facebook with your name, neighborhood and question, and you could see an expert answer it on air.
