Those whose disabilities prevent them from going to the vaccination center at the Clearview Mall for a COVID-19 shot have not been forgotten by county officials.

Beth Herold, director of the county Area Agency on Aging, said many agencies have collaborated to provide vaccines to anyone who needs them, regardless of their ability to get to the vaccine center.

She said anyone with a disability that precludes them from going to the Clearview Mall facility can call the Area Agency on Aging to have a vaccine brought to them.

Herold said when her office receives such a call, the person's name is placed on a list that is sent to Butler Memorial Hospital and the Visiting Nurse's Association three times per week.

A nurse from the VNA then goes to the vaccination center, which is operated by BMH, to retrieve the number of Pfizer doses needed for remote vaccines that day.

The nurse then drives to the home of the person who requested the vaccine and administers the shot, Herold said.

The nurse also makes an appointment to return in three weeks to give the second dose.

Herold said 30 to 35 shots have been given so far to individuals with disabilities throughout the county.

Marsha Clark, of Fairview Township, was unable to go the vaccination centers at BMH or Clearview Mall due to heart issues, multiple spinal surgeries and dizziness that precludes her from driving or standing in line.

She has been isolating with her husband since the virus arrived in the county, and looks forward to receiving her shot next Tuesday at her home.

“If I want to hug a family member, I can,” Clark said, “not just wave through my front window.”

She said she tried for a month to find a way to get a shot, including at a pharmacy, but had no luck.

Then, she called Butler Memorial Hospital, where she was told to call the county Area Agency on Aging.

She called last Monday and was placed on the list, then was notified Monday of her date to receive her first Pfizer shot.

“I want to get it and not have to worry so much about getting sick if I go out,” Clark said.

Regarding those who call because they do not have a ride to the vaccination center, Herold said she coordinates with Butler Area Rural Transit to pick them up if necessary.

She also helps people with information on riding The Bus to the mall for the shot.

“We try to figure out a way,” Herold said.

She said more than 1,000 vaccines also were administered at senior living facilities throughout the county when the Pfizer vaccine first became available.

Those living in senior facilities who could not get to BMH for the shot were vaccinated in their apartment by a nurse from the hospital, Herold said.

An emergency medical professional was on hand at each facility as injections were being given in case someone had a negative reaction.

“That was when the (vaccine) was relatively new, and we wanted to have someone there,” Herold said. “We didn't have any reactions.”

She said it was vital to prioritize vaccines for seniors living in congregate care facilities.

“We thought it was important from a health care standpoint to vaccinate those individuals and prevent them from getting COVID-19 and spreading it in their building because that's a decreased burden on Butler Memorial Hospital,” Herold said.

She said the remote shots would not be possible without the collaboration she enjoyed with many county agencies.

She listed the county Human Services Department's mental health division, BART, Dr. David Rottinghaus, nursing director Karen Allen and nurses at the Butler Health System, the county housing authority and VNA, among others, as willing and helpful collaborators in getting shots into the arms of those who are homebound.

“I think it's amazing, and that Butler County should be proud of how well everyone has come together to help the residents of our county,” Herold said. “We are surpassing other counties on shots and how well we work together.”

She especially praised Brandon Savochka, county human services director, who insisted Herold should get the kudos.

“She has been coordinating a lot of it because a lot of them are her population,” Savochka said of Herold.

He said vaccinating homebound individuals is important, so they can be visited by friends and family.

“The social isolation they've had, a lot of them have struggled for the past 12 months,” Savochka said. “There is nothing worse for physical and mental health than isolation.”

He is also proud of Butler County after witnessing the willing collaboration undertaken to administer vaccinations to some of the most vulnerable residents.

“We have a community hospital and agencies that are county based,” Savochka said. “They care about the community because it's their community.”

Those with disabilities who want a COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of their age, can call the Area Agency on Aging during regular business hours at 724-282-3008 to be placed on the at-home vaccine list.