| 2023 Update: Due to the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, this program is no longer available. Vaccines may be available at private doctor offices, pharmacies, workplaces, community health clinics, health departments or other community locations, such as schools and religious centers. If your primary healthcare provider does not stock all the vaccines recommended for you, ask for a referral. You may also find locations providing the flu and COVID-19 vaccines in your community at www.vaccines.gov. |
In March, Council on Aging’s Vice President of Program Operations, Ken Wilson, received the TriState chapter of the Association of Professionals in Aging’s (APA) Project of the Year Award for the Homebound Vaccination Program.
Wilson is the chief architect of Council on Aging’s Homebound Vaccination Program, which was created shortly after Ohio launched its COVID-19 vaccination program in 2021.
Wilson noticed a gap in the state’s vaccination system – which required people to travel to designated vaccination sites – and quickly began advocating for the needs of homebound individuals. Click here to read a press release from the program’s launch.
“Some people think because [older adults] are homebound, they’re not high-risk, but it’s actually quite the opposite. Most homebound individuals have people who are coming and going from their home – caregivers, home health care and others – which can increase their risk of exposure.”
Ken Wilson, COA’s vice president of program operations
The relationships COA had built with local public health departments during the pandemic were key to getting the program off the ground. In fact, Hamilton County Public Health submitted a letter of recommendation for Wilson and COA to receive the award. Click here to read the letter.
This is not the first time COA or Wilson has been recognized for this program. In September 2021, COA received a Clinton County Community Champions (C4) Award for the program.
Wilson and other award winners were honored at the APA annual Awards Luncheon, March 8. Officials from the APA told COA this year’s award winners were selected by a panel of local older adults who are not affiliated with the APA.
COA will sunset the Homebound Vaccination Program May 1, 2023. Since the program’s launch, COA has sent 1,865 homebound vaccination referrals to local health departments.