EATON — In conjunction with Ohio’s statewide efforts to distribute COVID-19 vaccines to Ohioans in Phase 1B starting the week of Jan. 18, Preble County Public Health and Preble County Emergency Management Association are partnering to lead the vaccination efforts in Preble County. The combined knowledge and decades of training will allow these agencies to continue to serve our local community as we work to vaccinate Ohioans in our community.

Preble County will be following the plans outlined by Governor DeWine for Phase 1B, which include a tiered approached of vaccinating the public based on those who are most at risk as well as our limited COVID-19 vaccine supply. Starting on Jan. 14, individuals 80 years of age and older may register for to be vaccinated through vaccinatepreble.com.

Preble County is expected to receive both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines in the coming weeks, which both require two doses. “We are hopeful that the supply of COVID-19 vaccine will increase as the weeks move forward,” said Health Commissioner Erik Balster.

“Our goal is to be able to offer the vaccine to all Preble County residents who wish to be vaccinated,” he added.

Preble County Emergency Management Association Director Dave Anderson noted, “we’ve been planning for these types of mass immunization scenarios along with the health department for many years.

“We are very fortunate to have local volunteer groups to help, including the Preble County CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) and Preble County MRC (Medical Reserve Corps),” he added.

All residents are encouraged to visit preblecountyhealth.org/vaccine, where they can find out when vaccine is available, where clinics will be held, and to who it will be available. In addition, a statewide vaccine provider search is available beginning January 14th at coronavirus.ohio.gov/vaccine.