The Kenton Hardin Health Department received its second shipment of COVID-19 vaccine last week and is holding a second closed clinic for EMS departments, primary care practices, pharmacies, and home health and hospice agencies located within Hardin County this week.

These Phase 1A groups have been selected to ensure emergency medical services are available to those in need and care is available for sick patients.

"We are also expanding to the targeted-risk populations included in Ohio’s Phase 1B. This includes staff working in group homes or residential centers for persons with intellectual disabilities or mental illness," Kelsey Ralston of the health department told the Icon.

"Depending on quantity and arrival of our next vaccine shipment, we plan to expand to people living in group homes or residential facilities who have developmental disabilities or mental illness.

She added: "We expect to continue to receive vaccine shipments weekly, although we do not know how often. We will continue to focus vaccination efforts in accordance with Ohio’s Phase 1A for the next couple of weeks.

"We do not have a defined timeframe on when Ohio will begin vaccination to individuals in Ohio’s Phase 1B tier. According to Governor DeWine, Ohio’s Phase 1B tier will focus on persons at highest risk for severe illness (adults age 65 and older; persons with severe congenital, developmental or early-onset medical disorders) and getting kids back in school (by vaccinating adults who work within schools).

She added that the heald department hopes to learn more in the next one to two weeks. We will continue to share vaccination updates and eligibility as we know more.

Local nursing homes and assisted living facilities are receiving vaccine directly through the federal pharmacy partnership. Local hospitals are also directly receiving vaccine for hospital workers. Local health departments will continue to focus on individuals and facilities within Ohio’s Phase 1A tier who are outside of these settings.