Gov. Andy Beshear on Thursday unveiled a new state website and hotline that help Kentuckians determine when they are eligible to receive a vaccine and then helps them find one in their region.
By answering a series of questions on the new vaccine.ky.gov website, which is protected and secure, Kentuckians can determine if they are currently eligible for a vaccine and if so will be directed to a map that shows available vaccines sites across the state. As vaccine supplies increase, more sites will be added to the map and announced.
Kentuckians not currently eligible or unable to locate an available vaccine are encouraged to sign up for text or email updates by entering their name, county of residence and an email or phone number at vaccine.ky.gov. The sign-up is not a wait list or appointment scheduler, but aims to provide alerts when a person’s eligibility changes, or, for example, when vaccines are available in an area.
Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, said in addition to the website, a new hotline has been added to help Kentuckians who do not have access to the internet or computer or need additional assistance.
The hotline – 855-598-2246 or TTY 855-326-4654 – is available 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST Monday through Friday.
“Hotline operators are prepared to walk a person without internet through what’s on the website via a phone call,” Stack said. “For those who are vaccine eligible, the operator can help them identify a vaccine location and connect them by phone or even help them look for an available appointment. For those not currently eligible, the operator can help the caller sign up for text or email notifications.”
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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