Healthcare workers, first responders and individuals age 70 and up can now schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine through the Owensboro Health website or their MyChart account, according to an announcement from OH officials.
To schedule online, visit OwensboroHealth.org/Vaccine. Appointments can also be made by calling 270-685-7100.
Appointments are available at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, with more locations and walk-in options to be added at a later date.
Owensboro Health first announced Thursday night that their vaccination program had expanded to Tier 1B — which includes first responders and community members over the age of 70.
Since receiving its first shipment of Moderna vaccines on Dec. 23, Owensboro Health has vaccinated more than 2,000 healthcare workers under Tier 1A guidelines issued by the Kentucky Department of Public Health.
With its quick progress on Tier 1A and the arrival of additional vaccine doses, Owensboro Health is now in position to extend vaccinations to Tier 1B, said OH Chief Medical Officer Francis DuFrayne.
“Gov. Andy Beshear has directed hospitals to administer vaccines quickly, following state guidelines, and reaching as many people as possible,” DuFrayne said. “We are working diligently to be part of this guidance and solution. With the resources and expertise available to us, Owensboro Health is more than ready to take the next step — vaccinating some of our community’s most vulnerable citizens.”
Owensboro Health opened its Tier 1B phase with a soft launch on Thursday, successfully vaccinating several hundred patients who had visited physician offices within the hospital.
The vaccine clinic is located at OHRH’s medical building, Entrance B. The process usually takes 30-45 minutes and includes a 15-minute observation period. Seniors should plan to bring proof of age and their insurance information, although they will not be billed for a vaccine.
Meanwhile, the system continues to encourage Tier 1A healthcare workers — including those not affiliated with Owensboro Health — to take advantage of its vaccination program as well.
“Vaccines are still available on a walk-in basis for physician offices, dentists, optometrists — essentially any healthcare worker in western Kentucky,” DuFrayne said. “We hope frontline workers get vaccinated quickly so that our communities can start inching back to normalcy.”
Earlier this week, Beshear announced the planned vaccination phases in Kentucky are:
Phase 1a: Long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities, health care personnel
Phase 1b: First responders, Kentuckians age 70 or older, K-12 school personnel
Phase 1c: Kentuckians age 60 or older, anyone older than 16 with CDC highest-risk conditions for COVID-19, all essential workers
Phase 2: Age 40 and older
Phase 3: Age 16 and older
Phase 4: Children under the age of 16 if the vaccine is approved for this age group (estimated to comprise 18% of Kentucky’s population)
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