Pictured: Dossie White, 80, of Marlowe Court, receives her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Over the last year, the Episcopal Retirement Services (ERS) staff has worked tirelessly to provide the best, most engaging, and safest care for our residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, as the country begins rolling out the Pfizer/BioTech and Moderna vaccines, we have the opportunity to help protect you better, our communities, and ourselves by being among the first vaccinated. 

Our Continuing Care Retirement Communities and several of our Cincinnati-area Affordable Living campuses have started hosting COVID-19 vaccination clinics where both residents and staff can receive the vaccine.

For seniors outside of our communities or those at our Affordable Living campuses that haven’t had the opportunity to host a clinic yet, you may be wondering when you can get the vaccine. Currently, each state determines vaccination eligibility. Thus, your eligibility may differ depending on where you live. Let’s take a look at the Tri-State area. 

Ohio 

When Are Ohioans Eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine?

Ohio is where a majority of Episcopal Retirement Services’ communities are located. Vaccines became available in Ohio on January 19, 2021. However, since supplies are limited, the state will be following a distribution approach. The state is currently in Phase 1A, which, according to the Ohio Department of Health, includes: 

• Healthcare workers and personnel who are routinely involved in the care of COVID-19 patients.
• Residents and staff in nursing homes.
• Residents and staff in assisted living facilities.
• Patients and staff at state psychiatric hospitals.
• People with developmental disabilities and those with mental health disorders, including substance use disorders, who live in group homes, residential facilities, or centers, and staff at those locations.
• Residents and staff at our two state-run homes for Ohio veterans.
• EMS responders.

Over the next few weeks, eligibility will increase incrementally to include more older adults. This will be considered Phase 2B and will proceed as follows:  

• Jan. 19: Individuals 80 years of age and older.
• Jan. 25: Individuals 75 and older; people with certain medical conditions such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and Type 1 diabetes. Click here for the full list.
• Feb. 1: Individuals 70 and older; K-12 staff and personnel.
• Feb. 8: Individuals 65 and older.

It is important to note that no local clinics offer walk-up vaccinations at this time. You must make an appointment with a COVID-19 vaccine provider.  

The State of Ohio is still determining which priority groups will follow Phase 1B, so check back with the Ohio Department of Health or your local health department for more information.

Wondering why you should get vaccinated for COVID-19? Listen to Episode 28 of the Linkage Podcast with ERS Medical Director, Dr. Jeff Shlaudecker.

Where Can Ohioans Find More Information? 

There are a variety of places where Ohioans can receive more information about the COVID-19 vaccine. If you’re in Phase 1A or 1B, then click here to see the Ohio Department of Health’s list of vaccine administration locations and find a provider near you. 

Several retailers are offering vaccination appointments, including: 

• Kroger Pharmacy: Schedule an appointment at some pharmacies at kroger.com/ohiocovidvaccine or by calling 866-211-5620.
• Discount Drug Mart: Register for an appointment at discount-drugmart.com or call your local pharmacy. All 75 Discount Drug Mart locations were approved for vaccine distribution.

If you are not yet eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine but want to be notified when you are, check with your county’s public health department. They may have a COVID-19 alert system in place or a newsletter you can sign up for. For example, Cincinnatians can fill out this form, and the City of Cincinnati Health Department will notify you when you are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Kentucky

When Are Kentuckians Eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine? 

ERS’s Trent Village and the Episcopal Church Home are located in the state of Kentucky. Like Ohio, the state follows a phased distribution plan, starting with long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities, and healthcare personnel. 

The State of Kentucky, the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, and the Kentucky Public Health Department currently have their distribution plan outlined through Phase 4. The current Phases are as follows: 

However, eligibility requirements and vaccination schedules may change, so keep an eye on the State’s COVID-19 vaccination hub for more information.  

Where Can Kentuckians Find More Information? 

Kentucky’s COVID-19 vaccination hub is the best place to find information about the vaccine, including eligibility and FAQs, and weekly reports. Kentuckians can also consult AARP, which is regularly updating its COVID-19 guides with state-specific information. Click here for the AARP Kentucky guide.

Remember to check your city’s or county’s website for local updates or information about nearby vaccine providers. Louisville residents can register for a vaccination appointment or sign up for weekly updates here. Lexington residents, on the other hand, should go here. 

Indiana 

When Are Hoosiers Eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine?

Parkview Place is currently the only ERS community located in Indiana. The State started administering the COVID-19 vaccine on January 8, 2021. Like Kentucky and Ohio, Indiana is following a phased distribution and is currently administering vaccinations to the following categories: 

• Patient-facing healthcare personnel. 
• Long-term care facility residents.
• Individuals living in congregate settings (i.e., group home, residential care facility, child caring institution, private, secure facility, juvenile detention facility, etc.)
• Public-facing first responders. 

Phase 1B will include individuals 65+ years of age, though eligibility will be staggered due to limited vaccine availability. Other eligible groups will be added to Indiana’s distribution plan as more vaccines become available.

Click here for Indiana’s full vaccine eligibility as of January 5, 2021. 

Where Can Hoosiers Find More Information? 

The State of Indiana has created a COVID-19 portal with information relating to vaccinations and contact tracing, current COVID-19 data, and more. To find the Indiana-based vaccine provider nearest you, click here or visit your local health department’s website. 

Likewise, you can keep an eye on AARP’s Indiana guide for more updates. 

We’re all in this together. Everyone at Episcopal Retirement Services wishes you a safe and healthy 2021! 

Vaccine news is changing quickly so check our linked resources often for relevant updates. For updates about COVID-19 vaccinations at our retirement communities, visit our website. We also invite you to watch our new video series, “My Why,” where staff from across ERS discuss their reasons for getting vaccinated.