First COVID vaccines given in Coshocton County

By Jen Jones

TheCoshoctonBeaconToday . com

According to Steve Lonsinger , health commissioner for Coshocton County , the county and city health departments each received 100 doses of the vaccine . “ Each week the allotment could be a different amount . Other vaccine providers such as pharmacies and clinics will also be receiving the vaccine as it becomes available .”

The focus with this first round

of vaccines is care facility staff and residents . Jesse Christmas , public health emergency preparedness coordinator , said Coshocton Regional Medical Center also received doses for their staff and that county emergency medical service personnel also are able to get the vaccine . “ We are trying to get the first doses to those who are in constant contact with people who are sick .”

“ Gov . DeWine has indicated that school employees and those who are 65 years old and older will be the next group offered the vaccine . A date for the next phase hasn ’ t been announced yet ,” Lonsinger said .

When asked how the public seems to be responding to the vaccine , Lonsinger said , “ Understandably , some folks may be hesitant about receiving a new vaccine . As the thousands of people who received the vaccine turn into millions , I expect people to gain confidence in the vaccine ’ s safety and be less hesitant about getting one .”

Christmas said the county health department has been getting a lot of calls asking when the vaccine will be available for the public . “ I haven ’ t gotten any negative comments about it — only people wanting to know when they will be able to receive it .”

Steve Lonsinger

Dr . Robert Gwinn is pictured receiving the COVID-19 vaccine .

Submitted