Update: Students will receive information regarding times and registration on Monday, April 5. Clinics for the J&J one-shot vaccine will begin on Thursday, April 8.
Dear 91传媒在线 Students, Faculty and Staff,
We are happy to inform you about a new opportunity for COVID-19 vaccinations specifically for students.
As part of a program announced today by Gov. Mike DeWine, 91传媒在线 and other state universities in Ohio will be receiving a large quantity of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines. It is the governor鈥檚 desire to see all university students vaccinated before they leave for summer break.
We expect our first allotment of these vaccines to arrive at University Health Services sometime early next week, and we will begin to distribute them immediately. Plans are still being formulated, but it is expected that distribution will take place at the 91传媒在线 Ice Arena or at the 91传媒在线 Field House in conjunction with the Portage County Combined General Health District鈥檚 ongoing vaccination clinics on Tuesday.
More details will be forthcoming soon about how to register for these shots and where and when the distribution will take place.
We strongly encourage all students to get vaccinated, particularly those living in the Kent Campus residence halls, because we know that most residence hall students will leave campus by the end of spring break and will not return when classes resume fully remote on April 19.
This vaccination program is expected to continue through the end of April with plenty of opportunities for all students to get vaccinated. Details also will be forthcoming for how these vaccines will be distributed on our Regional Campuses.
Faculty members are asked to be flexible with verified student class absences due to students receiving the vaccine.
Students must be 18 years or older to receive the Johnson & Johnson shot. Currently, the only vaccine that has been approved for those ages 16 and older is the Pfizer vaccine. As of March 29, all Ohioans ages 16 and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
In addition, opportunities continue at the mass vaccination clinics being offered by Portage County every Tuesday beginning at 10 a.m. at the field house, where as many as 3,000 vaccines are being distributed weekly.
Vaccines currently offered at the field house are Moderna and Pfizer brands. Anyone who receives these vaccines will have to schedule a return appointment to receive their second dose in three to four weeks. Before you register for a vaccine at the field house clinics, make sure you can be in the Kent area three or four weeks from then to receive your second dose.
We understand the state鈥檚 vaccine registration portal, where Portage County appointments must be scheduled, has been problematic for some.
Portage County has been working with the state to eliminate glitches in the system, and we suggest that you consider checking multiple times to find an open vaccination spot and practice patience when attempting to schedule with the county. Tuesday clinics will take place on April 6, 13, 20 and 27, and in May as well.
While COVID-19 vaccines are not mandatory, we strongly encourage all members of the 91传媒在线 community to take advantage of any opportunity to get vaccinated, whether it be on campus or at a local pharmacy or clinic. Where you get your vaccine is not as important as getting your vaccine.
We appreciate the effort everyone is making to get vaccinated and to stay true to our Flashes Safe Eight safety protocols.
Stay healthy!
Lamar R. Hylton, Ph.D.
Vice President, Student Affairs
Julie Volcheck
Assistant Vice President, Student Affairs
Director, University Health Services
Lisa Dannemiller, M.D.
Chief University Physician