Long lines have become a familiar part of the pandemic. There have been lines for COVID tests, vaccines, and even groceries. Montgomery County Public Health worked to avoid the lines as residents 80 years and older got vaccinated Wednesday. This week marks the start of the next phase of Ohio’s vaccine distribution plan.
At the Dayton Convention Center, a grid of spread out chairs filled the large exhibit hall. Healthcare workers rolled supplies on metal carts from patient to patient so that everyone could wait sitting down.
Jerry McElfresh, an 81-year-old retired General Motors employee, said he was thrilled to get the vaccine, and the process was painless and easy.
“I remember taking the polio vaccine when I was a young kid, and it's about the same thing. You're glad you're able to get it,” he said. “Hopefully everybody will get their shots and we can get rid of this stupid pandemic and get back to normal.”
Registration for the 600 slots available filled up in about an hour last week. Public Health offered a phone registration option as well as online registration to accommodate the elderly population. The department said supplies are limited and it is going to take many months to vaccinate everyone. But this week was a start for some of the county's most vulnerable residents.
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