With COVID-19 vaccinations more widely available, City of Wheeling officials are encouraging residents who want a vaccine to make an appointment via Wheeling Hospital’s self-scheduling website. The hospital now has 5,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine available to residents of the Northern Panhandle.

City Manager Robert Herron said while the number of positive COVID cases in Ohio County are trending in the right direction, it’s important that the people who desire to be vaccinated are able to receive the vaccine.

“The increase in vaccine volume is great news, but we need to get shots into the arms of those who want it. That will put us one step closer to eradicating the virus,” Herron said. “Getting the vaccine will protect not only your family and friends, but the community as well.”

Douglass Harrison, CEO of Wheeling Hospital, was thrilled to receive 1,500 additional vaccine doses on top of the regular weekly allotment. He expects to receive another 5,000 doses next week. 

“With the large volume of doses we have on hand, our goal is to expand access to all area residents 16 years of age and older.  We want our family members, our friends, our neighbors, and all the residents of this great community protected from this horrific virus,” Harrison said. 

“West Virginia has truly been a shining star and recognized as a national leader in its distribution of the vaccine.  Let’s keep building on that success. Only through vaccination can we restore a sense of normalcy to our lives and through Wheeling Hospital’s new self-scheduling COVID vaccine website, it’s easier than ever.”

Residents can sign up by visiting Wheeling Hospital’s website at http://www.wheelinghospital.org/covidvaccine. In order to make an appointment, users will need to provide their name, date of birth, address, email address and phone number.

Although calls will still be made to those who have signed up through the http://www.vaccinate.wv.gov  website, people are encouraged to self-schedule through the new Wheeling Hospital portal if they have not yet been contacted.

The Highlands Clinic, located at the former Michael’s Crafts, is a collaboration between Wheeling Hospital, the Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department, the county Emergency Management Agency and Wheeling Health Right. The clinic will remain open for this service until it is no longer needed. Hours of operation will fluctuate in accordance with the volume of vaccine received. Appointments are required prior to receiving the vaccine and registrants must wait to be contacted by a Wheeling Hospital representative.