Local & Statewide News

Public Health Vaccinates Hundreds in Dayton

WYSO | By Leila Goldstein

Published January 21, 2021 at 9:18 AM EST

A public health worker wearing a neon yellow public health vest administers the COVID-19 vaccine in the left art of Jerry McElfresh, an 81-year-old retired General Motors employee. He is sitting in a chair looking away from the needle. In the background of the photo, other residents wait in chairs in the large exhibit hall.

1 of 5 — Lisa Davenport, a registered nurse with the University of Dayton, administers the vaccine to residents 80 years of age and up at the Dayton Convention Center on Wednesday.

Lisa Davenport, a registered nurse with the University of Dayton, administers the vaccine to residents 80 years of age and up at the Dayton Convention Center on Wednesday.

Public Health workers administer vaccines to residents 80 years and older in the Dayton Convention Center. Residents wait in rows of spread out chairs as workers roll supplies from patient to patient on metal carts.

2 of 5 — Unlike earlier Public Health vaccine distributions for EMS and home care workers, healthcare workers rolled supplies on metal carts from patient to patient so that residents did not have to wait in lines.

Unlike earlier Public Health vaccine distributions for EMS and home care workers, healthcare workers rolled supplies on metal carts from patient to patient so that residents did not have to wait in lines.

A healthcare worker wearing blue latex gloves prepares a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine with a vial and a syringe.

3 of 5 — A healthcare worker prepares doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. About 600 doses were available for residents 80 years and older on Wednesday.

A healthcare worker prepares doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. About 600 doses were available for residents 80 years and older on Wednesday.

A healthcare worker wearing a neon yellow vest with the words Public Health written on it faces rows of people in chairs getting vaccinated in the Dayton Convention Center.

4 of 5 — This week marks the start of the next phase of the state's vaccine distribution plan. Ohioans 80 years and older are eligible to get vaccinated by providers throughout the state.

This week marks the start of the next phase of the state's vaccine distribution plan. Ohioans 80 years and older are eligible to get vaccinated by providers throughout the state.

Jerry McElfresh, an 81-year-old retired General Motors employee, sits in the Dayton Convention Center after getting vaccinated for COVID-19. He wears a mask and is holder a folder of documents. Behind him two healthcare workers wearing masks stnad at a cart with vaccination supplies and a computer.

5 of 5 — Jerry McElfresh, an 81-year-old retired General Motors employee, after getting the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. He said he was thrilled to get vaccinated, and the process was painless and easy.

Jerry McElfresh, an 81-year-old retired General Motors employee, after getting the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. He said he was thrilled to get vaccinated, and the process was painless and easy.

Long lines have become a familiar part of the pandemic. There have been lines for COVID tests, vaccines, and even groceries. Montgomery County Public Health worked to avoid the lines as residents 80 years and older got vaccinated Wednesday. This week marks the start of the next phase of Ohio’s vaccine distribution plan.

At the Dayton Convention Center, a grid of spread out chairs filled the large exhibit hall. Healthcare workers rolled supplies on metal carts from patient to patient so that everyone could wait sitting down.

Jerry McElfresh, an 81-year-old retired General Motors employee, said he was thrilled to get the vaccine, and the process was painless and easy.

“I remember taking the polio vaccine when I was a young kid, and it's about the same thing. You're glad you're able to get it,” he said. “Hopefully everybody will get their shots and we can get rid of this stupid pandemic and get back to normal.”

Registration for the 600 slots available filled up in about an hour last week. Public Health offered a phone registration option as well as online registration to accommodate the elderly population. The department said supplies are limited and it is going to take many months to vaccinate everyone. But this week was a start for some of the county's most vulnerable residents.