CLEVELAND — If you missed an opportunity to get your first dose of the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine at Cleveland State University's Wolstein Center, you have another option.
The Ohio Department of Health has announced that a branch of the Wolstein Center's Mass Vaccination Site is now taking appointments for this Friday and Saturday at MetroHealth Maple Heights on 5398 Northfield Rd. from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Appointments are now open to anyone 16 and older to receive first doses of the Pfizer vaccine. They can be made by going to gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov and entering zip code 44137 in the search field. You can also register by calling United Way 2-1-1.
The second dose of the vaccine will be scheduled onsite.
According to the Ohio Department of Health, 36.8% of Ohioans have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine Gov. Mike DeWine is hoping to dramatically increase that.
"The first third [of] people who really wanted it [had] made up their mind they wanted it, and now we are into the next third," DeWine said Thursday. "We've got to keep getting vaccinated, and we have to do it at a fast rate."
The Summit County Fairgrounds has been vaccinating about 2,000 people a day, and as of Friday night the site open slots this Sunday. Additionally, University Hospitals is no longer requiring online pre-registration for COVID-19 vaccine appointments. According to health officials, the organization is now able to facilitate those wanting to get vaccinated within 24-72 hours of them calling to schedule an appointment.
At the MetroHealth location in Maple heights, parents must accompany those individuals ages 16-17. There is no cost to get a COVID-19 vaccine, even if you don’t have insurance. This vaccination site is open to all eligible Ohioans; you do not have to live in Cuyahoga County to be vaccinated.
Free parking is available outside the building. United Way 2-1-1 can support registration and transportation options at this site, including a free Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) bus pass and ride-share services.
The MetroHealth Maple Heights vaccination site is managed by the Ohio Department of Health, Ohio National Guard, Ohio Emergency Management Agency, and MetroHealth with support from Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) and Cuyahoga County.
"God bless all the healthcare workers and all the volunteers and all of those literally taking the vaccine to people," DeWine said. "This is precious. This is how we save lives and this is how we get out of this."
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