Vaccinations available for Wood County residents 80 and older
Wood County Schools employees age 50 and up get shots
Wood County Schools nurse Antoinette Nottingham, left, administers the COVID-19 vaccine to Parkersburg South High School teacher Steve Grasser during the first round of employee vaccinations Thursday morning at Parkersburg High School. (Photo Provided)
Wood County Schools nurse Marilyn Schreckengost measures out a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine during a round of employee vaccinations Thursday morning at Parkersburg High School. The initial round of vaccinations was targeted at Wood County Schools employees age 50 and older. (Photo Provided)
Wood County Schools nurse Antoinette Nottingham, left, administers the COVID-19 vaccine to Parkersburg South High School teacher Steve Grasser during the first round of employee vaccinations Thursday morning at Parkersburg High School. (Photo Provided)
Wood County Schools nurse Marilyn Schreckengost measures out a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine during a round of employee vaccinations Thursday morning at Parkersburg High School. The initial round of vaccinations was targeted at Wood County Schools employees age 50 and older. (Photo Provided)
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PARKERSBURG -- Wood County Schools began administering the COVID-19 vaccine to its employees Thursday, while the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department is accepting appointments to vaccinate Wood County residents age 80 and older.
Per guidance from Gov. Jim Justice, the state Department of Health and Human Resources and the state Department of Education, the initial vaccinations are going to school employees age 50 and older, a release from the school district said. Wood County Schools nurses administered more than 400 doses Thursday morning at Parkersburg High School.
Additional vaccine shipments are expected to arrive weekly, the release said.
The vaccinations require two shots, with the second to come three weeks after the first.
Another targeted group in the vaccine rollout are people age 80 and up, since older individuals are more likely to have severe complications from the disease.
Wood County residents in that demographic can contact the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department at 304-420-1449 until 4 p.m. today to make an appointment to receive a vaccination Saturday or Sunday at the West Virginia National Guard Armory Readiness Center off West Virginia 31 near the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport. The clinic is scheduled for 8 a.m.-5 p.m. both days.
"We're not taking anybody that doesn't have an appointment," said Carrie Brainard, threat preparedness coordinator for the Health Department.
The first batch of vaccinations for older Wood County residents was offered Jan. 3 in the Health Department parking lot off Sixth Street in downtown Parkersburg. Hundreds of cars lined up hours before the scheduled 1 p.m. start, although there were only 50 doses available.
Brainard said the department is not disclosing how many vaccinations will be available this weekend, but "it will be a significant amount."
The Guard's Armory Readiness Center at 285 Aviation Drive, off West Virginia 31, will provide more space for the clinic, Brainard said.
People are asked to bring a photo ID and come inside the building, where stations will be set up at least 6 feet apart for proper social distancing. Staff will be wearing personal protective equipment, and those entering must wear a mask.
Individuals being vaccinated can be accompanied by someone if assistance is needed, Brainard said. If individuals are unable to walk in, the vaccine can be administered at the vehicle, she said.
A clinic is planned for Ritchie County residents 80 and older from noon-4 p.m. Saturday at the Ritchie Regional Health Center Harrisville Campus. Seniors can call 304-420-1449 today to make appointments for that event.
The Health Department administered approximately 145 vaccinations at the Pleasants County Library in St. Marys, Brainard said. An appointment-only clinic for Wirt County residents is scheduled for today at Wirt County Middle School in Elizabeth.
Also on Thursday, Roane General Hospital played host to an 80-and-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the armory in Spencer. According to the hospital's Facebook page, all 180 slots were booked.
Minnie Hamilton Health System assisted the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department in Calhoun County, administering 75 vaccinations Wednesday and 45 Thursday at Calhoun County Middle High School in Mt. Zion, said Eric Ritchie, chief operations officer for Minnie Hamilton. The balance of the approximately 150 doses they received will be given today, by appointments already made, at Minnie Hamilton's Grantsville clinic.
Most of the doses were provided on a first-come, first-serve basis, Ritchie said.
"We had some cars lined up in the beginning (each day), but after the first 45 minutes … we were back to serving them as they pulled up," he said.
Minnie Hamilton also administered 50 doses over Wednesday and Thursday at the Waco Center at Glenville State College. Ritchie said that was in addition to 100 shots given by the Gilmer County Health Department on Tuesday.
Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.
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* Wood County COVID vaccination clinic: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Armory Readiness Center, 285 Aviation Drive, Williamstown. For Wood County residents, by appointment only; call 304-420-1449 to register today.
* Ritchie County COVID vaccination clinic: noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Ritchie Regional Health Center Harrisville Campus, 135 South Penn Ave., Harrisville. For Ritchie County residents, by appointment only; call 304-420-1449 to register today.