COVID-19 vaccine: How to get an appointment and where to go around Cincinnati

Updated May 3 to add community-based vaccination events and a walk-in clinic in Clermont County; April 28 to change hours of Dayton, Kentucky, clinic; updated April 27 to add walk-in days and hours at 12 locations;  April 26 to include walk-in clinics Tuesday-Thursday by Warren County health officials.

Ohio and Kentucky have opened eligibility for people 16 and older, and more providers are offering walk-in clinics to enhance convenience. To cut through the confusion, The Enquirer has compiled this guide to vaccination, with a map of 180 local sites now providing vaccinations.

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Ohio COVID-19 vaccine eligibility

Everyone 16 and older in Ohio can now get a vaccine. Supply has improved so that the requirement for an appointment has loosened.

A reminder for parents and teens: The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is the only vaccine currently approved for 16- and 17-year-olds. Gov. Mike DeWine has asked local health departments and vaccine providers to reach out to schools and offer Pfizer vaccines to eligible teens with parental approval for the shots. 

The Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio is creating a list of homebound, older adults who meet current vaccination criteria to receive in-home vaccinations. If you are among these individuals or know someone who is, call the Council on Aging at 513-721-1025 to be screened for eligibility. See the full eligibility criteria here. 

Kentucky COVID-19 vaccine eligibility

Every Kentuckian 16 and older is eligible to receive a vaccine. Most providers still require appointments although walk-in convenience is coming. See the graphic below on how distribution is going around the commonwealth. Anyone ages 16 and 17 will need to make an appointment for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine since it is the only vaccine approved for those age groups. 

How to make a vaccine appointment

Online: Check your electronic medical record if you have a doctor connected to a major hospital system. You may get a notice there first about eligibility. You can also schedule an appointment online through most health departments, medical practice and pharmacy providers. 

In Ohio, you also can use gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov to book an appointment at a mass vaccination site; you also can get links to other vaccine providers. Visit vaxchat.ohio.gov to talk with a vaccine-support virtual assistant. 

In Kentucky, visit vaccinemap.ky.gov to find vaccine providers that are reporting open appointments. 

Other options: Use the telephone. In Hamilton County, dial 211 for a help line staffed with United Way volunteers trained to help get you signed up. Elsewhere in Ohio, call 833-427-5634. In Kentucky, call the state hotline at 855-598-2246. 

Get Out the Vax 

Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky leaders have unveiled a campaign for the second and fourth weekends of April and May to get 80% of adults in the 15-county region vaccinated by July 4. The campaign will run the second and fourth weekends in May.

The campaign is designed to remove barriers to access for the vaccine. Appointments for the campaign can be made with current providers at existing sites or new sites that will focus on providing vaccines to minority communities.

During the campaign weekends, Metro and Tank rides will be free, and anyone not on a bus line can get a free Lyft ride to an appointment through United Way 211 of Greater Cincinnati.

To support the effort, the Cincinnati Reds will be offering discounted tickets for games Monday through Thursday in May for anyone who shows proof of vaccination. The vaccination card has to be shown at the Reds ticket office at Great American Ball Park.

Clermont County free transportation

Anyone 59 or older qualifies for free rides to a COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Clermont County through Clermont Transportation Connection. Rides are available 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Friday. Call 513-732-7433 (Ext. 2) to schedule a ride.

Provide your name, phone number, home address, the clinic’s address, appointment time and expected pick-up time from the clinic. Residents 60 and older may call Clermont Senior Services at 513-536-4115 to schedule a ride.

Below is a map the Enquirer created of vaccine provider locations in the Cincinnati area. When you click on an icon for a provider in your area, you'll be able to see the name, address, phone number and website for the location. 

Here are websites and phone numbers for mass sites, community sites, hospital systems, health departments, pharmacies and colleges in the Cincinnati area that now have avenues to vaccination. This list will be updated at least weekly as more providers establish appointment signups. Also, if you're willing to speak with an Enquirer reporter about your experience getting vaccinated, please see this survey.

Walk-up vaccination clinics

Christ Hospital: Mondays-Thursdays 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. at 2139 Auburn Ave., Mount Auburn. 

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center: Wednesdays and Thursdays 4:30 p.m.-7:309 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The clinic at 3333 Burnet Ave., Corryville.

Duke Energy Convention Center: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays. Run by the Cincinnati Health Department.

Hamilton County Board of Elections: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2300 Wall St., Norwood. Vaccines are offered while supplies for the day last. If the allocation for the day is distributed before the clinic hours end, anyone waiting will be scheduled for an appointment within the next week. Those who prefer to secure an appointment and bypass the walk-in line can use the ArmorVax app.  Instructions for downloading the app and using it are available at the Hamilton County Public Health website's COVID-19 page. Those without internet access or who need assistance scheduling may call 211.

Mercy Anderson Red Clinic: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursday, 7502 State Road, Anderson Township.

Mercy Fairfield Medical Office Building: 8:30 a.m.-noon Thursday and Friday, 2960 Mack Road, Suite 100, Fairfield.

Mercy Health at Kenwood Towne Centre: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.-noon Friday, 7876 Montgomery Road, Kenwood.

Sterling Rapid Response at Tri-County Mall: Noon-8 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays; noon-4:30 p.m. Sundays.

Third Presbyterian Church: 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Friday, 3358 McHenry Ave., East Westwood. Run by the Cincinnati Health Department.

TriHealth Norwood: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday, 4750 Wesley Ave.

TriHealth Western Ridge: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 6949 Good Samaritan Drive, Colerain Township.

UC Health Gardner Neuroscience Institute: Thursday and Friday 9 a.m to 5 p.m., 3113 Bellevue Ave., Corryville.

Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sundays at the Urban League headquarters in Avondale, 3458 Reading Road. You also can register online or text "vaccines" to 797979 to schedule an appointment. 

Felicity-Franklin Fire Station, 718 Market St., Felicity, 3 p.m.-6 p.m. May 18, with Clermont County Public Health.

Mass vaccination sites

Cintas Center at Xavier University: Continuing on a temporary pause. Sign up for appointments online through Kroger or gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov or by calling 866-211-5320. 

Wilmington Air Park: Continuing on a temporary pause. Make an appointment online through Kroger or gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 866-211-5320. 

UC Clermont College: 4200 Clermont College Drive, Batavia, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. May 4, 6 and 7, Clermont County Public Health. Register through Armorvax.com.

Community sites

Southern Campbell County Fire Department: 1050 Race Track Road, Alexandria, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. May 8 for those 18 and older, appointments are required. Click here to schedule.

RJ Cinema Distillery and Taproom: 4450 Eastgate South Drive in Union Township, 5-8 p.m. May 13, with Clermont County Public Health. Schedule through Armorvax. As an incentive, RJ Cinema will offer free movie passes to anyone who gets vaccinated during the event.

Little Miami Brewing Company: 208 Mill St., Milford, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. May 22, with Clermont County Public Health. Schedule through Armorvax. As an incentive, Little Miami Brewing Company will offer a discount to anyone who gets vaccinated there during the event.

Hospitals

Bon Secours Mercy Health: Urges patients to use MyChart or call the COVID-19 hotline 866-624-0366. 

Christ Hospital Health Network:Patients can use MyChart to schedule an appointment, while those who have never been a Christ Hospital Health Network patient or who don't have a MyChart account can schedule online through the website. A limited number of appointments are also available by phone at 513-585-3881. 

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center: To make a reservation, go to the Health Collaborative's COVID-19 vaccine information page, scroll to the bottom and click on the Cincinnati Children's logo to register.

Premier Health: If you're a Premier Health patient eligible to be vaccinated at the clinic operated by Atrium Medical Center in Middletown, you'll receive a request to schedule an appointment through your MyChart account. If you don't have a MyChart account, you can create one. Or call 937-276-4141.

St. Elizabeth Healthcare: First, go to St. Elizabeth.com/get-vaccinated. To get a vaccination, either click "Schedule your vaccine without MyChart, or on your personal MyChart login and go to 'schedule an appointment.' Scroll down and click on the green "Schedule it!" button or your appointment will not be scheduled. Or call 859-363-2120.

TriHealth: Urges patients to use MyChart, with instructions on how to set up an account. Or call 513-862-6843

UC Health: Urges patients to use MyChart to schedule an appointment or call 513-584-3673.

Health departments 

Butler County Public Health: The county is having drive-thru clinics every Wednesday and Friday at the Butler County Fairgrounds. 

In the future, the health department will release links to clinic schedules with available appointments on the county health department website. Once a schedule is released, you can make an appointment online through the unique link for that clinic or call 513-887-3130 to sign up. 

Cincinnati Health Department: For appointments, the city now is sending residents who have internet access to the ArmorVax app. If you don't have access, call the city health department help line 513-357-7462. You can also register for notification of vaccine eligibility. 

Clermont County Health Department: Make an appointment through the ArmorVax app or website. Or call 513-735-8500. New appointments are opened at noon Thursdays. 

Hamilton County Public Health: Joint county/city website can send users to health systems or health departments. You can also register for notification of later eligibility. 

Hamilton (city) Health Department: Residents can register through the sign-up links on the city website, which are updated on Fridays. Help line 513-785-7080. 

Middletown Health Department: Register for an appointment online through gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov. Help line 513-425-1818.

Northern Kentucky Public Health: Go to the department's COVID-19 page. Links for vaccine clinics change routinely. Scroll to the location you wish for availability, which changes daily. Help line 859-363-2120; if no appointments available, the message will say so.

Norwood Health Department: Scheduling 513-458-4515.

Springdale Health Department: Schedule online at gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 513-346-5725. 

Warren County Health Department: The department will hold walk-in clinics will Tuesday-Thursday this week from 8:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. at the county Fairgrounds, 665 N. Broadway, Lebanon. (If you already had an appointment time scheduled, your time will be honored.) Also scheduling appointments through gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov. Help line 513-695-1228 to schedule an evening appointment.

Medical practices

Centerpoint Health Franklin: Schedule an appointment online. Facility phone number is 513-217-9165. 

HealthPoint Family Care locations: Patients can use the online form to register. Then, select the location from a drop-down screen and follow instructions.

• 1401 Madison, Covington.  
• 215 E 11th St. Newport. 
• 7607 Dixie Highway, Florence. 

HealthSource of Ohio: Taking requests for appointments then reaching out to schedule. Fill out the online request form or call. 

• Clermont County residents – 513-732-5081.
• Hamilton County residents – 513-707-9811.
• Warren County residents – 513-707-9812.

Oak Street Health: Due to high demand, Oak Street Health is focusing on vaccinating patients and community members who live near its centers who are 65 and older. Fill out a form online to be contacted on scheduling an appointment. Call the Avondale location at 513-427-5821 or the Westwood location at 513-322-3524.

Pharmacies

Kroger: Schedule online, or call the COVID-19 vaccine helpline at 866-211-5320. The online form will use your ZIP code to show you Kroger providers in your area. For NKY residents, you will use the Kroger form to sign up for the Northern Kentucky Convention Center mass vaccination site. 

Walgreens: Register here for an appointment.

Walmart: Schedule an appointment online. 

CVS: Fill out the online form. 

Blanks Pharmacy: Call the Covington store at 859-261-1313.

Community First Pharmacy: Fill out the online form to schedule your appointment, or call the Hamilton location at 513-645-5447 or the Middletown location at 513-454-1117.

Discount Drug Mart: Fill out the pharmacy's registration form online or call the Springboro location at 937-748-3000 or the Mason location at 513-754-1361 to schedule an appointment. 

HealingSprings Pharmacy: Schedule online or call the Hamilton location at 513-863-8000.

Kratzer’s Hometown Pharmacy: Call the Middletown location at 513-217-6222 or the Maineville location at 513-880-0023. 

Medex Pharmacy: Call the West Chester location at 513-755-1891. 

Medicine Shoppe: Call the Springboro location at 937-748-0555.

Meijer: Text COVID to the number 75049 and receive a link to register. Online registration is also available, or call the Eastgate store 513-943-5710 or the Miami Township store 513-576-5510.

Appointments are currently available at the following Cincinnati and NKY locations:

• Pfizer vaccine available April 12 at the 4990 Houston Road location in Florence.
• Moderna vaccine available April 13 at the 1082 Ohio 28 location in Milford. 
• Pfizer vaccine available April 13 at the 3195 Geier Drive location in Oakley. 

Rite Aid: Schedule online or call the Middletown location at 513-420-2546.

Total Care Pharmacy: Online registration is not available. Call the Crittenden store at 859-428-0900, the Dry Ridge store at 859-823-0200 and the Falmouth store at 859-654-3232.

Waynesville Pharmacy: Call 513-897-7076 to schedule an appointment.

Yost Pharmacy: Schedule an appointment online through gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 513-398-5010. 

Colleges

Mount St. Joseph University: Students, staff and community members can make an appointment for a vaccine online. 

Northern Kentucky University: A Pfizer vaccination clinic will be held in the BB&T Arena on Thursday for all eligible members of the NKU community, regardless of residency. Students and faculty can register online for a Thursday appointment between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. The second dose will be provided May 13. Officials also reminded students they can get free Lyft rides for vaccination appointments in Kentucky and Ohio, thanks to six area healthcare systems and United Way 211 of Greater Cincinnati.

Xavier University: Xavier is offering appointment-only Pfizer vaccinations at Student Health Services Wednesday through Friday this week. Students are also encouraged to find appointments at local Kroger Health locations. Those who receive their first dose at Student Health Services this week must be able to return in three weeks for their second dose, according to the university's website. Xavier's last day of classes is April 30 and final exams are May 3-7.