CLEVELAND — The day has finally arrived! Ohio opened the state's first COVID-19 mass vaccination site in downtown Cleveland at the Wolstein Center on Wednesday. The COVID vaccine clinic opens to thousands who've already made appointments starting Wednesday after a hosting a "soft opening" Tuesday.
If you're looking to make a vaccination appointment at the Wolstein Center or at a different location closer to you, CLICK HERE for a guide on what you need to do. If you already have a shot scheduled at the Wolstein Center, here's an outline of everything you need to know before arriving at your appointment.
We followed the latest developments from the site's launch day with time-stamped updates below.
UPDATES FROM MARCH 17, 2021
5:05 p.m. Romney Smith has a look at how the first day of the mass vaccination clinic is progressing during What's New.
4:00 p.m. Gov. Mike DeWine's office provided video of some of the preparations that went on behind the scenes to get the mass vaccination site ready.
1:46 p.m. Our Romney Smith is back at the Wolstein Center for the second straight day and reports that people continue to be excited to get their doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
1:17 p.m. U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) posted the following on Twitter:
10:57 a.m. @MarekJim shared his experience on Twitter, saying it "couldn't have been easier!"
10:56 a.m. "Friendly, helpful & all smiles."
10:20 a.m. "The mass vaccination clinic is so well organized and friendly! I couldn't be any prouder to be in Ohio on Saint Patrick's Day!"
10:08 a.m. FEMA shares an inside look:
9:13 a.m.
9:12 a.m. One Twitter user says the mass vaccination site is "running super smooth."
8:22 a.m. We're streaming live video from outside the Wolstein Center as it opens for the first day of mass vaccinations:
8 a.m. It's opening time at the Wolstein Center! Vaccinations are scheduled now through 8 p.m. with a goal of getting 6,000 shots done each day.
7:05 a.m. We're less than an hour from the Wolstein Center opening. Here's the latest:
5 a.m. Are you wondering what traffic will be like if you're heading to the Wolstein Center? What about parking tips or advice on how to get an appointment? Here's our extensive team coverage:
UPDATES FROM MARCH 16, 2021
9:05 p.m. Gov. Mike DeWine's office confirms the first two weeks of vaccination appointments at the Wolstein Center are completely booked, meaning residents can no longer sign up on gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov. However, more appointments could be added or people could cancel, so you should continue to check back periodically.
Appointments for Week 3 will open up on Monday.
5:15 p.m. So how have things been going at the Wolstein Center during Tuesday's soft opening?
January Keaton talked to several residents who received their doses, including one woman who called the process 'easy sneezy.'
5 p.m. Our Romney Smith has the latest about how local and state leaders are doing their part to provide extra assistance to those who have questions about the mass vaccination site.
4:45 p.m. As we get ready for Wednesday's official opening of the Mass Vaccination Site at the Wolstein Center, our drone took a flight around the arena to check out the action.
3 p.m. FEMA tweeted out this post of some of the vaccinations during Tuesday's soft opening, including photos of Gov. Mike DeWine.
State Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney added this tweet.
1 p.m. As the soft opening continues on Tuesday, several people who have been vaccinated or have made appointments have shared their experience on social media.
10:47 a.m. Officials will contact people who may be on a waitlist if there are no-shows at the Wolstein Center.
10:25 a.m. Gov. DeWine announces that all Ohioans ages 16 and older will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine starting March 29.
10:21 a.m. “It’s imperative that we move as quickly as we can," Gov. DeWine said. "This virus is still very, very, very much out there. Fran and I were walking this morning through the Cleveland Clinic and the red is still up indicating exactly where we are in the state.”
Northeast Ohioans show off their COVID-19 vaccine selfies
10:16 a.m. "When the data comes out today, it will show over 2.4 million Ohioans have received their first dose," DeWine said during a press conference at the Wolstein Center.
10 a.m. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine hosts a press conference to preview what's expected at the Wolstein Center's mass COVID-19 vaccination site, which officially opens for thousands of appointments starting Wednesday. We streamed the full press conference, which you can watch in the player below.
"I want to thank President Biden for making this site available to us," DeWine said while describing how 200,000 people will be able to get their shots at this location throughout the next eight weeks.
8:55 a.m. 3News' contributor Doug Trattner was among those who received a COVID-19 vaccine during the "soft opening" of the Wolstein Center's mass vaccination site: "From park to jab in less than 15 minutes," he wrote on Twitter. "Incredible process and people."
5:02 a.m. 3News' Jasmine Monroe offers a sneak peek inside the Wolstein Center:
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