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Published on April 13, 2021

Owensboro Health expands COVID-19 vaccination program to include Tier 1b

Seniors 70 and over now eligible to receive the vaccine

*See the latest vaccine age requirements and appointment availability

OWENSBORO, Ky. (Jan. 8, 2020) – Seniors aged 70 and older are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine from Owensboro Health, as the health system’s vaccination program has entered its next phase, officials say. Appointments are available at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, with more locations and walk-in options to be added at a later date.

Since receiving its first shipment of Moderna vaccines on Dec. 23, Owensboro Health has vaccinated over 2,000 healthcare workers under Tier 1A guidelines issued by the Kentucky Department of Public Health. With its quick progress on Tier 1A and the arrival of additional vaccine doses, Owensboro Health is now in position to extend vaccinations to Tier 1B—community members over age 70, said Francis DuFrayne, M.D., chief medical officer of Owensboro Health.

“Gov. Beshear has directed hospitals to administer vaccines quickly, following state guidelines, and reaching as many people as possible. We are working diligently to be part of this guidance and solution. With the resources and expertise available to us, Owensboro Health is more than ready to take the next step—vaccinating some of our community’s most vulnerable citizens.”

Owensboro Health opened its Tier 1B phase with a soft launch on Thursday, successfully vaccinating several hundred patients who had visited physician offices within the hospital.

Seniors who want a vaccine should schedule an appointment online or call Owensboro Health’s Central Scheduling number, 270-685-7100, and speak to an operator. More online scheduling and walk-in options will be announced soon.

“The phone lines may be busy at first, but stay patient,” DuFrayne said. “We will have lots of scheduling options to introduce over the next few days.”

The vaccine clinic is located at OHRH’s medical building, Entrance B. The process usually takes 30-45 minutes and includes a 15-minute observation period. Seniors should plan to bring proof of age and their insurance information, although they will not be billed for a vaccine.

Meanwhile, the system continues to encourage 1A healthcare workers—including those not affiliated with Owensboro Health—to take advantage of its vaccination program as well.

“Vaccines are still available on a walk-in basis for physician offices, dentists, optometrists—essentially any healthcare worker in western Kentucky,” DuFrayne said. “We hope frontline workers get vaccinated quickly so that our communities can start inching back to normalcy.”

Contact: Brian Hamby, Director of Marketing, (O) 270-685-7749, (C) 270-316-4274, Brian.Hamby@OwensboroHealth.org.

About Owensboro Health

Owensboro Health is a nonprofit health system with a mission to heal the sick and to improve the health of the communities it serves in Kentucky and Indiana. The system includes Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, nationally recognized for design, architecture and engineering; Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital; Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center; the Owensboro Health Medical Group comprised of over 350 providers at more than 30 locations; three outpatient Healthplex facilities, a certified medical fitness facility, the Healthpark; a weight management program, and the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center.

On average each year, we have more than 19,000 inpatient admissions, deliver 2,000 babies and provide the region’s only Level III NICU. Owensboro Health physicians perform nearly 33,000 surgical procedures, including nearly 150 open-heart surgeries. Our physicians and staff have 90,000 Emergency Department visits and more than 1.25 million outpatient visits annually. Visit our home page for more information.