CINCINNATI — The Hamilton County Board of Elections Early Voting Center, Secretary of State Frank LaRose and Hamilton County Public Health are teaming together to streamline two important processes for Ohioans.
What You Need To Know
- Vax and Vote aims to keep people safe allow voices to be heard at early voting
- No appointment is necessary to receive a COVID-19 vaccine
- Officials said 20% of vaccine recipients also voted
- Vax and Vote runs Tuesday-Friday for a limited time
- Frank LaRose applauds the program and hopes it can be a statewide and national example
Vax and Vote allows people to cast their ballots early for the May 5 primaries, and also receive a COVID-19 vaccine in the same building.
LaRose is hoping the two “V’s” equal a “W.”
“We’re talking about the responsibility of being a vote, and the responsibility of being responsible about your health and the health of others as well,” LaRose said.
Five hundred people were scheduled for vaccinations on Tuesday, with dozens more taking part in the voting process.
Whitney Smith, a mother in Cincinnati, received her second dose of the vaccine, which she said gives her hope.
“Just because I feel there’s a light around the corner,” Smith said. “There’s a return to normalcy in some ways. My parents and my children’s grandparents are vaccinated now. So it’s nice to know that we can all sort of get back to those relationships the way they used to be.”
Dea Fellinger, 77, participated in both processes, which she said is extremely helpful because she didn’t have to make an appointment.
“It took me a while, but I persisted in getting the shot,” Fellinger said. “So I’m finally happy after three months of going to a couple of places that I could get it here, and just walk in. That was fantastic.”
Hamilton County Health Commissioner Greg Kesterman said 20,000 people have already been vaccinated at the Board of Elections — all part of the grand plan to achieve herd immunity.
“In Hamilton County, we’ve vaccinated over 320,000 people,” Kesterman said. “So we’re really making a lot of progress, but we have a lot more work to go in the coming weeks and months ahead.”
Fellinger said voting and vaccinating is something all people should take part in.
“I’m 77, and if I can do it, where are the young people, they can do it too,” Fellinger said.
Vax and Vote is available Tuesday through Friday for a limited time.
“Participate in Vax and Vote, it couldn’t be easier,” LaRose said.
