ARCHIVED PRESS RELEASE: Lake County to Expand COVID-19 Eligibility and Offer New Appointment Search Tool

As a result of expanding COVID-19 eligibility and an increase in weekly COVID-19 vaccine allocations, Lake County General Health District (LCGHD), Lake Health, and the Lake County Emergency Management Agency are announcing the expansion of COVID-19 vaccine appointment scheduling with the ArmorVax scheduling system.

On Friday mornings, vaccine appointments for the following week will be available in ArmorVax. Notice of clinics will also be posted at www.lcghd.org, on LCGHD’s Facebook and Twitter sites, and announced via LCGHD’s weekly situation report. Lake County residents who currently qualify to receive the COVID-19 vaccine can create an account with the ArmorVax scheduling system by visiting www.armorvax.com. Once an account is created, eligible users will be able to search for available vaccine appointments.

Important tips for creating an ArmorVax account include the following:

  • Use a unique email address for each person creating an account.
  • Be certain to select your eligible occupation and/or condition when creating an account.
  • Do not attempt to create an ArmorVax account until your eligibility is announced – you will not be able to schedule an appointment.
  • Individual identification and proof of occupation is required for all vaccine appointments.

Those needing assistance with making appointments may call (440) 350-2684 on Mondays and Tuesdays, between the hours of 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Individuals who currently qualify to register in ArmorVax and schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment include:

  • Phase 1A: Healthcare workers and personnel who are routinely involved in the care of COVID-19 patients, people with developmental disabilities and those with mental health disorders, including substance use disorders, who live in group homes, residential facilities or centers, and staff at those locations, and emergency medical first responders.
  • Phase 1B: Ohioans 65 years of age and older, Ohioans with specific congenital conditions (sickle cell anemia, Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, spina bifida; people born with severe heart defects requiring regular specialized medical care; people with severe type 1 diabetes who have been hospitalized for this in the past year; people with phenylketonuria [PKU], Tay-Sachs, and other rare, inherited metabolic disorders; people with epilepsy with continuing seizures; people with hydrocephaly, microcephaly, and other severe neurological disorders; people with Turner syndrome, fragile X syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, and other severe genetic disorders; people with severe asthma who have been hospitalized for this in the past year; people with alpha and beta thalassemia; solid organ transplant candidates and recipients; and adults/employees in K-12 schools that want to go back or remain educating in person.

 Individuals who qualify to receive a COVID-19 vaccine beginning Thursday, March 4:

  • Phase 1C Medical Groups: Individuals who have type 1 diabetes, pregnant women, bone marrow transplant recipients and individuals with Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS).
  • Phase 1C Occupations
    • Childcare Services: This group includes administrators, lead and assistant teachers, and substitutes who are enrolled in Ohio’s Professional Registry who are currently working in open childcare and pre-kindergarten programs. Also includes licensing specialists employed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, or county job and family services agencies. This phase does not include parent volunteers, board members or owners/administrators that do not provide in-classroom supports.
    • Funeral Services: This group includes embalmers, morticians, funeral home directors, crematory operators and apprentices.
    • Law Enforcement and Corrections Officers: This group includes sworn law enforcement officers and peace officers who have first responder or direct supervisory responsibilities. These individuals must be active duty and working a regular minimum of 20 hours per week. Eligibility does not include retired, “special,” or reserve officers. This group includes police officers, sheriff’s deputies, Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers, and special jurisdiction officers (Other state or federal enforcement officers, such as Ohio Department of Natural Resources [ODNR] enforcement staff, pharmacy board investigators, Bureau of Criminal Investigation [BCI] agents, state fire marshal investigators, federal transportation security officers, and other federal law enforcement officers who do not have access to vaccination from federal sources). Also eligible are corrections staff, including probation and parole staff, who provide direct services to an adult or juvenile inmate or court-supervised individuals, as well as individuals who have a valid active firefighting certificate in the State of Ohio, who are active members or employees of a recognized fire department. This does not include retired, emeritus, or reserve individuals.
  • Phase 2: Ohioans 60 years of age and older.

For more information on Phases 1A, 1B, 1C, and Phase 2, and for instructions and frequently asked questions (FAQS) for using ArmorVax, please visit www.lcghd.org.