Public Health turns focus to transportation for COVID-19 vaccine clinics

People without vehicles in Lorain County could face challenges getting to vaccine clinics. That's why Lorain County Public Health is working to get people a ride to a clinic if they need it. Sara Tillie, a program manager at LCPH, said staff members have been working with Lorain County's mobility manager to fill the gaps for people who don't have access to transportation. Lorain County does not have a countywide transportation system, and without that ride, many people who live too far from a clinic may have to skip an available appointment. Tillie said the first step has been making sure clinics are within walking and biking distance of homes and apartments, particularly in communities like Elyria, Lorain and Oberlin. LCPH has offered clinics at Elyria High School and Second Baptist Church. It's also been to New Russia Township Hall near Oberlin and several school buildings in Lorain. Lorain and Oberlin have several upcoming clinics scheduled in April. As of Thursday evening, Elyria had no first-dose vaccine clinics scheduled yet for April. Elyria Mayor Frank Whitfield said he's working with LCPH to find accessible sites in town for mass vaccination clinics. He's also been in touch with Lorain County Health and Dentistry about how it can help provide better access, too. "With the lack of transportation in the county, we know the short-term solution has to be to make the locations more accessible," Whitfield said. But for those not within walking or biking distance, Tillie said they are working with Lorain County Transit and other partners to run shuttle loops in high-density communities. Lorain County Mobility Manager Sharon Pearson said she wants to provide rides for people who may fall through the cracks, especially people of color, those from low-income households, or vulnerable people with mobility limitations who live alone and have no relatives. The United Way's 211 phone line is also being used to connect people in need with transportation options for vaccine appointments, she said. Pearson said some people don't have access to the internet to schedule appointments, or have trouble making the online system work for them. When they call 211 for help, a series of questions about accessibility help determine whether transportation assistance might be a good fit, Pearson said. In some cases, that's as simple as mapping out convenient bus routes to a pharmacy where shots are being given. In others, people may be eligible for rides provided by certain Medicaid programs. Tillie said staff members also are working with LifeCare's dispatch system so people can dispatch a ride if needed. They're making use of buses and vans from Lorain County Transit and other organizations. The LCADA Way has 13 vans on hand that it hasn't been able to use as much during the pandemic. President Dan Haight said the agency has used them to run a senior meal delivery program, but it also now is planning to use them to get people to clinics. Haight said people can use the service by going through United Way's 211 number. He said LCADA's mission is to remove barriers to treatments, which falls directly in line with providing rides to clinics. In fact, Haight said his agency drove more miles in the 2019-20 year than Lorain County Transit did. "We're glad to play a part in this," he said. Kendal at Oberlin also volunteered a large passenger van toward the effort. CEO Barbara Thomas said the vehicle, which was bought specifically for community outreach projects, will probably be used to provide rides to people in the Wellington area. "We know that we're a bubble here at Kendal, but we also know the community needs to achieve the herd effect to get immunity," she said. "That's important to us. We want the community to be restored." Riders will be required to wear masks en route to and from their vaccination appointments, and seating will be socially distanced. Thomas said she is confident those safety steps will keep drivers and passengers safe and healthy. The tricky part could be making sure people get a ride to a clinic that's close to them. Tillie said that's where Lorain County Public Health comes in to make sure spots and extra vaccines are available. "We're being a lot more thoughtful in that as long as you can get to the bus, and get to the clinic, we'll make sure they have vaccines available," she said. Tillie said it's the most vulnerable populations that don't have access to rides. She said the aim is to remove as many barriers as possible to make sure people can get the vaccine, and get it at the same time as everyone else. LCPH is also making sure people who are homebound can get vaccines. The organization is using its own list of homebound clients, but it also is working with area organizations. The Lorain County Office on Aging is assisting older adults to access vaccine clinics, Executive Director Lauren Ksiazek said. "There are two main barriers we are seeing: transportation and homebound status," she said. For adults who cannot leave home because they are unable to move freely, the Office on Aging is collecting their names and contact information and forwarding it to Lorain County Public Health. From there, county health workers call to arrange an in-home vaccination visit. "It's been a blessing that they are now able to do this," Ksiazek said. "It was a concern we heard from many of our clients." Lorain County Public Health will be promoting its transportations more in April, so Tillie said people should stay tuned. Contact Jason Hawk at news@lcnewspapers.com. Contact Laina Yost at lyost@chroniclet.com.