COVID-19 vaccines in Summit County: 40+, others qualify. Here's where to get the shot
Editor's Note: This article contained the most up-to-date information available when it was published, but it may have changed since then as the COVID-19 pandemic and response continue to evolve. For the most up-to-date information, visit beaconjournal.com.
Ohioans 40 years and older and people with one of five medical conditions, including cancer, are eligible starting Friday to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Starting March 29, all Ohioans age 16 and older will be eligible for the vaccine.
Who can get COVID-19 vaccines in Ohio starting Friday?
People in Phase 1E include those with cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease and obesity. There are about 766,000 Ohioans not otherwise eligible by age or other medical conditions.
Those ages 40 and older are in Phase 2C. There are 818,000 Ohioans between the ages of 40 to 49.
When will all Ohioans 16 and older be eligible for COVID-19 vaccines?
On March 29, every Ohioan 16 years of age and older will be eligible as part of Phase 2D. The Pfizer vaccine is the only one approved for those 16 and older, while the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are only approved for those 18 and older.
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Who's already eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine?
Ohioans 50 and older, as well as other categories based on health conditions and occupations, were previously eligible, including:
- Those with type 1 and type 2 diabetes; end-stage renal disease; pregnant women; bone marrow transplant recipients; and those with Lou Gehrig's disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS).
- Law enforcement and corrections officers, probation and parole staff and firefighters with an active certificate, including volunteer firefighters; child care services employees; and funeral services employees.
- Specific conditions that started at birth or childhood, including sickle cell anemia; Down syndrome; cystic fibrosis; muscular dystrophy; cerebral palsy; spina bifida; people born with severe heart defects, requiring regular specialized medical care; people with severe type 1 diabetes, who have been hospitalized for this in the past year; phenylketonuria (PKU), Tay-Sachs and other rare, inherited metabolic disorders; epilepsy with continuing seizures; hydrocephaly, microcephaly and other severe neurological disorders; Turner syndrome, fragile X syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome and other severe genetic disorders; people with severe asthma, who have been hospitalized for this in the past year; alpha and beta thalassemia; and solid organ transplant candidates and recipients.
Where are the mass vaccination sites in Northeast Ohio?
A federal mass COVID-19 vaccination site supported by the Biden administration and Federal Emergency Management Agency opened at Cleveland State University's Wolstein Center this week.
The eight-week, seven-day-a-week clinic — called "Operation Magnus" after the Cleveland State mascot — has the capacity to administer up to 6,000 vaccines a day. The vaccine doses FEMA will administer there are in addition to Ohio’s regular vaccine shipments.
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There are also 11 long-term mass-vaccination sites and four mobile mass vaccination clinics across the state. They're tentatively opening at the end of the month, with the ability to administer between 300 and 3,000 vaccines a day, depending on the location, supply and demand, according to the state.
Summit County is moving its site from Chapel Hill Mall in Akron to the Summit County Fairgrounds in Tallmadge after Industrial Commercial Properties completed its purchase of the mall this week, with plans to convert it into a business park.
The other state-sponsored mass-vaccination clinics will be in Youngstown, Lima, Maumee, Dayton, Columbus, Cincinnati, Chillicothe, Marietta, Wilmington and Zanesville. The mobile clinics will be based out of Ada, Athens, Mansfield and Steubenville.
Any Ohioan who is eligible to receive the vaccine under the state's vaccination plan can be vaccinated at any of Ohio's mass vaccination clinics.
To schedule an appointment at a mass vaccination site, use the state vaccine scheduling website gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-427-5634.
The site asks users eligibility questions, and if they're eligible, they can enter a ZIP code and are given a list of providers in that area with appointments.
Users can schedule directly on the site for appointments at the Wolstein Center, but for most other providers, users are redirected to their websites to make appointments.
A statewide list of vaccine providers is also available at vaccine.coronavirus.ohio.gov, searchable by ZIP code or county. The list isn't updated in real time, so people should check with the providers for up-to-date vaccine availability.
Those without internet access should contact the Summit County Public Health COVID-19 Call Line at 330-926-5795. Older adults with questions on the vaccination process should contact the Area Agencies on Aging at 866-243-5678 or online at aging.ohio.gov.
Is there a cost for the vaccine?
You shouldn't have to pay any out-of-pocket cost for the vaccine. If you have health insurance, the vaccine provider may bill your insurance company.
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Where can I get a vaccine in Summit County?
Here is the list of current Summit County vaccine provider locations:
Acme Pharmacy
• 3979 Medina Road, Akron, 330-666-3300
• 3235 Manchester Road, Akron, 330-644-0350
Those seeking a vaccine through Acme should visit acmestores.com and create or update their accounts to get communication about vaccine availability.
Akron Children's Hospital
akronchildrens.org/pages/2019-Novel-Coronavirus-Frequently-Asked-Questions.html, click on "Public Vaccination Program"
• 1 Perkins Square, Akron, 330-543-2621
Children's previously offered some very limited public vaccines before stopping but is now again offering very limited public vaccines. Appointments are limited and fill up quickly. The hospital will continue opening appointments to the public as the vaccine is available.
AxessPointe
• 1400 S. Arlington St., Suite 38, Akron, 888-975-9188 or 330-564-2477
Appointments are required, and supply is limited. AxessPointe keeps a list of people interested in getting a vaccine and calls them once their phase is reached.
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Charak Center for Health and Wellness Stow
• 4161 Bridgewater Parkway, Stow, 330-865-4644
The center has a very limited supply of vaccines and appointments and is unsure if it will be getting a weekly supply. Appointments are being taken by phone only.
Cleveland Clinic
my.clevelandclinic.org/landing/covid-19-vaccine/ohio
• Akron General Health and Wellness Center Bath, 4125 Medina Road, 216-444-2538
The Cleveland Clinic allows established patients and nonpatients who are eligible via state guidelines to register and find any available appointments. The Clinic will no longer contact patients directly for appointments.
Those seeking an appointment still need to use MyChart. For more information, visit my.clevelandclinic.org/landing/covid-19-vaccine/ohio. To sign up for MyChart, visit clevelandclinic.org/mychart.
Those without internet access can call 216-448-4117 and leave a message.
Colonial Pharmacy
• 1915 N. Cleveland-Massillon Road, Bath, 330-666-3569
The pharmacy is calling people on its 1,000-person waiting list by age priority for appointments. Check the “Colonial Pharmacy- Bath, OH” Facebook page for a form to get added to the waiting list or call 330-666-3569.
Discount Drug Mart
• 4044 Fishcreek Road, Stow, 330-688-6140
• 655 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-923-8332
• 5863 Darrow Road, Hudson, 330-342-5500
• 711 Canton Road, Akron, 330-794-1181
• 3100 Glenwood Blvd., Suite 294, Twinsburg, 330-405-6650
Those interested in registering can visit discount-drugmart.com/covid or call the Discount Drug Mart COVID-19 Vaccine Information phone line at 844-625-0843.
Giant Eagle Pharmacy
• 1700 Corporate Woods Parkway, Green, 330-896-9787
• 2687 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-928-8844
• 230 Howe Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-929-6372
• 41 Fifth St. SE, Barberton, 330-861-0849
• 3750 W. Market St., Fairlawn, 330-668-6605
• 2775 W. Market St., Fairlawn, 330-836-2036
• 484 E. Waterloo Road, Akron, 330-773-7772
• 2801 E. Waterloo Road, Akron, 330-628-6067
• 4300 Kent Road, Stow, 330-686-9121
• 1700 Norton Road, Stow, 330-650-4093
• 290 E. Aurora Road, Northfield, 330-468-3263
• 205 West Ave., Tallmadge, 330-634-0688
• 8960 Darrow Road, Twinsburg, 330-405-7105
Giant Eagle's online vaccine appointment scheduling tool is at gianteagle.com/covidvaccine. Those without internet access can contact their local Giant Eagle pharmacy to ask about appointment availability.
International Community Health Center- Akron (ICHC-Asian Services in Action Inc.)
• 370 E. Market St., Akron, 234-312-3607
The International Community Health Center, part of Asian Services in Action Inc., has limited doses available via its clinic. To make an appointment, call 234-312-3607.
MAC Pharmacy
• 879 E. Exchange St., Akron, 330-375-5040
The independent pharmacy is working off a waiting list for vaccinations. Those eligible for the vaccine can text a name and date of birth to 440-650-2779 to get added to the list. Those without texting capability can call the pharmacy.
Marc's Pharmacy
• 470 Howe Ave., Cuyahoga Falls, 330-928-8611
• 2753 W. Market St., Fairlawn, 330-869-0426
• 550 W. Aurora Road, Sagamore Hills, 330-468-4868
• 2891 E. Waterloo Road, Akron, 330-628-0781
• 3732 Darrow Road, Stow, 330-686-5285
• 360 E. Waterloo Road, Akron, 330-773-5554
Rite Aid
riteaid.com/pharmacy/covid-qualifier
• 45 East Ave., Tallmadge, 330-633-1150
• 4053 S. Main St., Akron, 330-644-9911
• 1540 Canton Road, Akron, 330-733-8378
• 2975 W. Market St., Fairlawn, 330-867-8492
• 325 E. Waterloo Road, Akron, 330-724-5219
• 1403 Wooster Road West, Barberton, 330-706-1004
• 1914 Bailey Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-922-4466
Sand Run Pharmacy
• 40 Sand Run Road, Akron, 330-864-2138
The pharmacy has a limited supply and is working off its lengthy waiting list to schedule appointments. A person will get a phone call if a spot from the wait list becomes available. The pharmacy asks people do not call for appointments unless the person receives a call first from the pharmacy. To sign up for the wait list, go to sandrunpharmacy.com.
Summa Health
summahealth.org/coronavirus/vaccine
• Akron Campus, 141 N. Forge St., Akron, 234-867-7110
• Barberton Campus, 155 Fifth St. NE, Barberton, 234-867-7110
Summa patients who meet the state eligibility who have a MyChart account can go to MyChart and schedule an appointment if any are available.
Beginning March 8, Summa began offering a limited supply of vaccine appointments to non-Summa patients who sign up for a waiting list.
More information is available at summahealth.org/coronavirus/vaccine. To sign up for a MyChart account, visit summahealth.org/mychart.
Summit County Public Health
• 1867 W. Market St., Akron, 330-926-5795 or 330-923-4891
On Feb. 22, Summit County Public Health announced a new lottery system for vaccine appointments. The system, which started March 1, pulls a computer-generated random sample of people who meet the state's current eligibility requirements from the health department's vaccine registry. Those selected will receive instructions on how to schedule an appointment.
People don't need to re-register in the system to be considered for the lottery. Those who haven't registered can do so at scph.org/covid/vaccine. Those without internet access can call 330-926-5795 to get on the vaccine registry on weekdays from 9 a.m to 4 p.m.
Target/CVS
cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine
Target is partnering with more than 600 CVS locations within Target stores in 28 states and Puerto Rico to offer vaccines to eligible guests and team members. There are 81 CVS locations listed across Ohio. In Summit County, participating locations are in Copley and Fairlawn.
Target said it would make fitting rooms available to CVS at select stores to host appointments. Visit cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine to check eligibility and participating locations.
VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System
Eligible veterans enrolled in the Veterans Affairs Northeast Ohio Healthcare System (receiving care at Cleveland VA Medical Center or Akron, Canton, East Liverpool, Lake County, Lorain County, Mansfield, New Philadelphia, Parma, Ravenna, Sandusky, Warren or Youngstown VA clinics) can receive the vaccine through the system. Call the VA vaccine scheduling line at 216-707-7660 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to make an appointment for the first and second doses. Leave a voicemail if calling during off hours.
Veterans not enrolled in VA health care can contact the system to discuss their eligibility at 216-707-7914 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Veterans who are enrolled in VA for health care can sign up to notify the system of their interest in receiving the vaccine. VA will call veterans who sign up to schedule a vaccination appointment once their priority group is reached. Visit cleveland.va.gov/services/covid-19-vaccines.asp for more information.
Walgreens
walgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid-19
• 302 Canton Road, Akron, 800-925-4733
• 361 E. Waterloo Road, Akron, 330-724-2709
• 663 E. Aurora Road, Macedonia, 330-468-4800
• 840 Brittain Road, Akron, 800-925-4733
• 3009 W. Market St., Fairlawn, 330-867-1946
• 900 Wooster Road North, Barberton, 800-925-4733
• 1130 S. Arlington St., Akron, 800-925-4733
• 1303 Copley Road, Akron, 800-925-4733
• 1925 W. Market St., Akron, 800-925-4733
• 834 W. Market St., Akron, 800-925-4733
• 9043 Darrow Road, Twinsburg, 800-925-4733
Eligible Ohio residents can schedule their appointments at walgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid-19 or by calling 800-WALGREENS (800-925-4733). The recording says in-store personnel are not able to make appointments and directs people to the website. Appointments are required, and walk-ins aren't accepted.
Walmart/Sam's Club
walmart.com/cp/1228302 (to make an appointment and schedule), corporate.walmart.com/covid-vaccine (for information)
• Walmart Supercenter, 2887 S. Arlington Road, Springfield Township
• Sam’s Club, 1189 Buchholzer Blvd., Cuyahoga Falls
• Sam’s Club, 3750 W. Market St. Unit J, Fairlawn
Insurance is not required, and there is no cost to receive the vaccine. Appointments for the second vaccination will be made while at the first appointment. Walmart anticipates the clinics will take place over the next several weeks as allocation allows.
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Western Reserve Hospital
• 1900 23rd St., Cuyahoga Falls
Western Reserve Hospital is registering COVID-19 vaccination appointments via an online portal at westernreservehospital.org.
University Hospitals
There are no University Hospitals vaccination sites in Summit County; the only UH site for vaccines — by appointment only — is the UH Management Services Center, 3605 Warrensville Center Road, Shaker Heights. You don’t have to be a prior UH patient to register to receive a vaccine with UH.
Those who qualify to get the vaccine and have internet access can pre-register online at vaccine.uhhospitals.org.
Once a patient is pre-registered, UH will contact that patient via text or email when appointment times become available for them, providing a phone number for the patient to call to speak with a scheduler. Patients without internet access can call 216-844-3339.
Other vaccine information
Direction Home Akron Canton, or the Area Agency on Aging that serves Summit, Portage, Stark and Wayne counties, can't help schedule appointments but can help people find transportation options to a vaccination appointment, find providers and get signed up for registries. Call 800-421-7277.
Transportation assistance
Metro RTA's SCAT or paratransit service — which is available to Summit County residents 62 and older or those who have a temporary or permanent disability that prohibits the person from using the regular bus service — can be scheduled for a medical service to other locations for the vaccine.
Metro is transporting qualified SCAT customers to clinics at the Summit County health department vaccine clinic at its West Akron location. Metro will transport the patient to a specifically designated entrance at the health department, where an employee will escort them to the clinic. The process is expected to last about 45 minutes, and then the client will be returned home.
If a person is not registered for Metro SCAT service, they can register by calling 330-762-0341. Proof of age and residence are needed to register.