Lorain County Public Health seeks to use Johnson & Johnson shots before expiration

Lorain County Public Health has about 1,300 doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in stock, and nearly half are set to expire this month, Health Commissioner David Covell said Tuesday. The health department is offering the single-dose Johnson & Johnson shot as one option for eligible residents who want protection from COVID-19, but declining demand is making it difficult to get all of the doses in arms before their expiration date. Covell said a pair of vaccine clinics held Saturday drew crowds of about 250 and 300 people, but only 17 people opted for Johnson & Johnson at one clinic and just five at the other. "At the pace we're going, it's not going to happen. That's going on all over Ohio and all over the country, frankly," he said in a meeting of Lorain County's Community Protection Team, a group of civic, health and business officials that meets virtually every two weeks. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced Monday approximately 200,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine in the state will expire June 23, and he issued an urgent communication to vaccine providers asking them to administer as many doses to eligible Ohioans as quickly as possible. There is currently no legal option for Ohio to send its excess doses to other states or countries, according to a news release from DeWine's office. The governor encouraged unvaccinated Ohioans not to delay getting the shot. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is currently available to Americans ages 18 and older. "It is safe and effective and only requires one shot," DeWine said in a statement. "In just two weeks, you could be protected from this virus. Getting vaccinated is the quickest way out of the pandemic and the fastest way for us to return to the lives we remember." Expiring doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are the most immediate concern, but Covell said there could come a time when the same situation arises for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which are both recommended for two doses. Pfizer is available for ages 12 and older while Moderna is available to ages 18 and older. "Eventually, all of them will start to expire if we don't get them in someone's arm," he said, adding that all three types of vaccines available in the United States are now offered at every Lorain County Public Health clinic. More information is available at loraincountyhealth.com/coronavirus, where clinics from Lorain County Public Health are listed and there is a link to other providers. Help with getting the vaccine also is available over the phone by dialing 211. The county health department is working with Lorain County Jail to make the Johnson & Johnson shot available to inmates who want it, Covell said. He said he is open to hearing ideas from community leaders about how to reach more people with the vaccines. Promotions available for vaccinated individuals also are continuing to draw interest. Covell said about 40 people were vaccinated at Avon's Mercy Health Stadium on May 27, where discounted Lake Erie Crushers tickets were offered to anyone who got their shot. Interest is also building for the upcoming "Vaxxin' on the River" concert to be held July 21 at Black River Landing in Lorain. The show will feature musician Lita Ford and will be free for anyone who can show a vaccination card at the gate. Lorain County Public Health will also have stations on site where music fans can get vaccinated from 5-7 p.m. and watch the show afterward for free. The standard ticket price at the gate is $10. University Hospitals announced Tuesday that it has developed a "UH Vaccine Playbook" designed to be distributed by community leaders to people who don't feel comfortable getting a vaccine yet. The 19-page playbook conveys scientific information about the vaccines in a simple way, according to a news release from the health care provider. "We know there are a significant number of people who are not ready to be vaccinated. This is our focus," Dr. Joan Zoltanski, of University Hospitals, said in a statement. "We want to provide people with the most helpful information in the easiest format possible to help them make the best decision." In total, 154,580 people across Lorain County have received at least one dose of any COVID-19 vaccine, according to Ohio Department of Health data updated Tuesday. Of that group, 136,425 have had all recommended doses. Statewide, more than 5.39 million people have gotten at least one vaccine dose and 4.79 million people have had all recommended doses. Despite the looming expiration of Johnson & Johnson shots, the number of active COVID-19 cases in Lorain County is declining to levels probably not seen in a year. Covell said Lorain County's current active case count, estimated Monday at 67, is one of the lowest since early last summer. Contact Dylan Reynolds at (440) 329-7123 or dreynolds@chroniclet.com. Follow him on Twitter @drey1357.