Health briefs: COVID vaccines for Phases 1C & Phase 2 begin in Sandusky Co.
Sandusky County Public Health, The Bellevue Hospital, and ProMedica Memorial Hospital began offering COVID-19 vaccines to Ohioans in Phase 1C and Phase 2 on March 2.
The following individuals qualify for Phase 1C and Phase 2 of the COVID-19 Vaccination Implementation Plan:
Phase 1C:
• Individuals with Type 1 Diabetes, ALS, who have had a bone marrow transplants, or are currently pregnant.
• Childcare workers.
• Funeral service workers.
• Law enforcement.
• Corrections officers.
• Firefighters
Phase 2:
• Individuals who are 60 years of age and older.
The COVID-19 Vaccine will be offered by the following healthcare providers:
• Sandusky County Public Health, 2000 Countryside Dr., Fremont. (www.scpublichealth.com)
• The Bellevue Hospital, 1400 W. Main St. (www.bellevuehospital.com)
• ProMedica Memorial Hospital, 715 S. Taft Ave., Fremont. (www.ProMedica.org)
Pre-registration is required to get the vaccine. To pre-register for the vaccine at any of the above locations, visit their websites.
Those who do not have access to or don’t feel comfortable pre-registering online, may contact United Way First Call for Help at 419-334-2720, or GLCAP Senior Center at 419-334-8181 for assistance with the pre-registration process. You will be contacted to schedule your COVID-19 vaccine appointment by Sandusky County Public Health, The Bellevue Hospital, or ProMedica Memorial Hospital. Walk-in appointments are currently not available.
To find local pharmacies that are providing the COVID-19 vaccine, visit vaccine.coronavirus.ohio.gov/.
Sandusky County vaccine providers will either have the Moderna, Pfizer or Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Since all vaccination distribution is subject to availability of doses and vaccine type provided by the State of Ohio, there is no guarantee which type of vaccine will be given each week. Scheduling will not be based on preferred vaccine type.
The State of Ohio is releasing a new scheduling system in the near future. This means the registration process may be changing. To stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccine information and the registration process, visit www.scpublichealth.com or follow Sandusky County Public Health on Facebook.
Editor’s note: Residents living in other counties may visit the Wood Count Health Department at www.woodcountyhealth.org, the Ottawa County Health Department at www.ottawahealth.org or the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department at lucascountyhealth.com for more info about COVID-19 vaccination programs.
BP checks
The Oregon Senior Center, 4350 Navarre Ave., will offer blood pressure checks March 9 and 20 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
The screening will be conducted by the Lucas County Health Department.
Advance registration is required. Sign up in advance for free personal protective equipment.
Call 419-691-778 to register or for more info.
Magruder restarting
monthly screenings
Magruder Hospital will restart the updated monthly lab screening, which includes a basic metabolic panel (glucose, BUN/creatinine, calcium, potassium, sodium, chloride, CO2, etc.), a lipid profile (total cholesterol/LDL/HDL/triglycerides), and a COVID antibody IgG test.
Screenings are by appointment only and will be offered twice in April – Wednesday, April 7 and Saturday, April 24 starting at 8 a.m. The cost is $20. Appointments may be made by calling 419-732-4061.
Bloodmobile set
The Pemberville American Legion Auxiliary will sponsor a Red Cross Bloodmobile Wednesday, March 24 from 1-7 p.m. at the Legion Hall, 405 East Front St.
Walk-ins are welcome. Make an appointment by calling 419-287-3210 or call the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. Masks are required.
Alzheimer’s Fremont
Latino community forum
As the American population ages and becomes increasingly more diverse, the Alzheimer's Association is committed to identifying and addressing barriers that may prohibit members of these diverse communities, including Latinos, from receiving important Alzheimer’s education and resources.
Join the Alzheimer’s Association on Wednesday, March 10 at 10 a.m. via Zoom for our first Fremont Area virtual Alzheimer’s Community Forum.
This town hall-style meeting will ask participants questions and gain answers about Alzheimer’s, discuss their experiences, learn about local resources, and more.
“We know that Latinos are one-and-a-half times more likely as white Americans to have Alzheimer’s or another dementia” says Pam Myers, Program Director. “We also know that, while Latinos are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than whites, they are less likely to have a diagnosis. A delay in diagnosis could mean that Latinos with Alzheimer’s and other dementias may miss the opportunity to make important legal, financial and care plans while they are still capable, and make their preferences known to their families.”
The Alzheimer’s Association is holding community forums in communities across the country. Goals include listening to the experiences of the community related to Alzheimer’s and other dementias; identifying needs, gaps in resources and opportunities; and elevating awareness of the programs and services of the Alzheimer’s Association.
“We have held four successful Alzheimer’s Community Forums in the past five months in different parts of our service area,” Myers said. “While all the forums had different feedback based on their unique community, we heard overarching community needs like more education and awareness about the disease. We really want to hear what our local Latino community thinks about diagnosis, education, and resources.”
Those who are part of the Latino community in Fremont and surrounding counties, and have an interest in or experience with Alzheimer’s or other dementias as it impacts your community are encouraged to participate.
The event is free; register by calling 800-272-3900.
Visit alz.org or call 800-272-3900 for more info on Alzheimer’s Association programs and services.
United Way 2-1-1
Issues call data report
Despite being just three months into the year, United Way 2-1-1 has witnessed record-breaking call volumes in January and February 2021 alone.
A comparison of calls handled by 2-1-1 in January and February 2021, as compared to last year includes:
• January 2020 – 6,835; January 2021 – 11,331;
• February 2020 – 5,686; February 2021 – 12,974.
“Calls handled” are when an individual reaches out to United Way 2-1-1 and are able to speak to a Community Resource Advisor (CRA).
COVID-19
Nearly, or slightly more than, 50 percent of all calls coming into United Way 2-1-1 are related to COVID-19 health resources, vaccines and vaccine pre-registrations. Currently, United Way 2-1-1 is assisting individuals with completing a vaccine pre-registration form or scheduling a vaccine appointment who meet the following criteria:
• Has no access to technology.
• Has a disability that prevents them from using technology.
• Is having technical issues or is having trouble locating health resources.
• Has limited English proficiency, or English is not their primary language.
If an individual has access to a computer, smart device, etc., United Way encourages residents to visit the website of their county health department, which contains the same information that would be communicated by a CRA to a caller.