Mahoning County Health Commissioner Ryan Tekac announced the county plan for the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccination process.

During the virtual media conference, Tekac shared the information for distributing the vaccine during the Phase 1B to those 80 years old and older.

Tekac explained the county will 3,075 doses next week in the initial release of the vaccine.

The vaccine is a two-shot vaccine, and anyone receiving the shot will receive a reminder vaccine card to come back for the second-shot.

For the Mahoning Co. Health doses, Tekac said you need to bring an ID and there is no cost for the shots. The Valley is receiving the Moderna vaccine, which needs 28 days from the first shot to the second, while the Pfizer-BioNTech is 3 weeks (or 21 days) for the second shot.

There are no restrictions of a family member bringing a family member to receive the shot, but all must follow the Ohio COVID guidelines, with masks and social distancing.

Anyone wishing to to preregister beginning Friday, Jan. 15 may do so by going online to mahoninghealth.org or by calling 330-270-2855, option 9, beginning at 9am-430pm. After tomorrow, hours will switch from 8am-430pm.

The vaccinations in Ohio will be given by physicians, local health departments, hospitals, federally qualified health centers, in-home health service providers, and some retail pharmacies.

Vaccination 1B providers in Mahoning County will include Giant Eagle pharmacies in Mahoning County, Southwoods Health, Mercy Health, Youngstown City Health District and the Mahoning County Public Health District.

Erin Bishop, Health Commissioner for the city of Youngstown said to register for the vaccine within the city go to covid19.youngstownohio.gov to receive a vaccination, or call 330-502-4276 with questions or for additional information.

Bishop said the 500 vaccines will be given starting Tuesday, Jan. 19.

Mercy Health North Lima Medial Center, 9471 Market St., North Lima and Youngstown Primary Care, 1053 Belmont Ave., Youngstown, will be the vaccination sites at Mercy, and you can call 1-866-624-0366 to register, as no walk-ins will be taken. 

Southwoods Health received 200 doses, call the hotline beginning tomorrow at 8 a.m. through 4 p.m. at 330-965-5099. You will leave a message and Southwoods will call those back those who will receive the vaccine. They also asked that you check their website, which will be updated.

Giant Eagle pharmacies in Austintown, the two stores in Boardman, Canfield and Poland each will receive 100 doses, and are asking those wishing to receive the shot to call the pharmacy beginning next Wednesday, Jan. 20 to see if the pharmacy has any vaccine available and to schedule.

Dr. James Kravec of Mercy Health said the vaccine should work on new strains of the virus that are starting to appear in the U.S. and in the state.

How and where to get vaccinated will vary depending on where you live. A provider search will be available at coronavirus.ohio.gov on beginning today, Jan. 14, allowing Ohioans to search by county, ZIP code, and category to find a provider in their area to administer the vaccine.

Who is eligible to receive the vaccine? Ohioans meet the following requirements:

  • Beginning next week, Jan. 19: 80 years and older may receive the vaccine.
  • Week of Jan. 25: 75 years and older, and those with severe congenital or developmental disorders.
  • Week of Feb. 1: Age 70 and older and employees of K-12 schools.
  • Week of Feb. 8: Age 65 and older.

Any with questions  should contact the staff at Direction Home of Eastern Ohio, who will help answer questions on the safety of the vaccine, how you can get to the provider in their area that is doing the vaccine and connect you to any other community resources available.

They can be reached at 330-505-2300 or 1-800-686-7367.