As COVID-19 vaccines begin to reach Ohio, The University of Toledo is planning to vaccinate employees in priority populations as soon as vaccines are available.
The University is anticipating receiving Moderna vaccines the week of Dec. 20, pending the Food and Drug Administration’s authorization for emergency use.
Working with the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department and following guidance issued by the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Ohio Department of Health, the University will first offer vaccines to healthcare workers in The University of Toledo Medical Center Emergency Department and those providing care to COVID-19 patients.
“We’re fortunate to be included in one of the first phases of the vaccination program,” said Russ Smith, UTMC chief pharmacy, quality and safety officer and administrator of UTMC’s Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center. “We’re working to expedite vaccines for those employees at the highest risk to contract or spread the virus, but we encourage all employees to get vaccinated when eligible to protect themselves, their families, their patients and colleagues.”
The CDC has established several phases for the vaccination program. Hospital and healthcare personnel are included in Phase IA along with residents of long-term care facilities.
As vaccine availability increases, inoculating additional healthcare workers and students on clinical rotation at UTMC will remain the priority. In line with the CDC’s guidelines, the University will then make vaccines available to employees, students, providers and patients at an increased risk for contracting COVID-19.
There is no cost to University employees for the vaccine. However, advanced registration is required using the email link that is sent to each employee’s University email account. Employees will only receive an email to register when the vaccine is offered to them as part of a priority population.
“I’m incredibly proud of how our University community has responded to the pandemic,” said Interim President Gregory Postel. “While we must still remain diligent in wearing masks and social distancing, we can now glimpse an end to this year-long health crisis. I encourage everyone in our University community to take advantage of the vaccine when it is offered to them so that we can look forward to being together again in 2021.”
For more information on UToledo’s vaccine program and resources about the vaccine, visit utoledo.edu/coronavirus/vaccine.
