CLEVELAND — One Cleveland City Council committee is answering criticism about Cleveland’s COVID vaccine roll out with weekly meetings to get and spread information about where to get a vaccine in the city.
“It’s incumbent on City Council to play our role as oversight and informer to the community to make sure that the accurate information is out there,” said Ward 3 Councilman and Health and Human Services Committee Chair Kerry McCormack.
McCormack’s announcement comes a few weeks into the city’s vaccine roll-out, where roughly 1,800 of the city’s 6,500 initial vaccines were used.
Information about COVID-19 and the vaccine is coming out daily. This info is not only evolving, but confusing for many. The public deserves to have clear & timely updates. The Health & Human Services Committee of @CleCityCouncil will fulfill its oversight role in achieving that.
— Kerry McCormack (@KerryMcCormack1) January 14, 2021
“It became evident very quickly that we had to step up,” said McCormack. “From what I can tell, it’s just not moving as quick as it needs to.”
When News 5 spoke to Richard Holmes at Edgewater Park this week, he said he and his doctors were left in the dark about when he’d be able to get a vaccine shot. Holmes said both he and his wife have immune deficiency problems, making them eager to get the shot.
“I think there are a lot of people that are anxious because we’re not seeing definite plans, schedules, and timing,” said Holmes.
Cleveland’s City Hall didn’t have many answers for people like Richard.
“There are pronouncements made at the federal and state level as to what should be done and then it’s left up to local communities to build an infrastructure to do that,” said Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson.
That’s where Jackson says his and other cities have struggled.
He announced this week that the city is creating mobile locations and opening Public Auditorium to vaccinate more people. Those moves come roughly a month after the city got its first batch of vaccines.
“From my read of it, we should have been doing more earlier on to ensure that we were ready to go right when the vaccines hit our door,” said McCormack.
McCormack says the goal of the weekly meetings is to have city officials, local pharmacies, and healthcare industry representatives at the table every week answering questions from City Council and the public.
The goal is to make sure they’re efficient and communicating what the public needs to know so residents can get vaccinated when their group comes up.
Look for vaccine providers in Ohio here.
Meijer is also offering vaccines to the public.
- Simply text COVID to the number 75049 and they will receive a link to register.
- Individuals can go online to https://clinic.meijer.com/ [clinic.meijer.com].
Get answers about Ohio’s vaccine program here.
Track CVS’ COVID vaccination data across the US here.
Track Cleveland’s COVID cases here.
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