CLEVELAND — Amid continued uncertainty surrounding its COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts, the city of Cleveland has set up a free help line to answer questions on the topic.
Residents with concerns or inquiries can call (216)-664-2222 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Those at the call center will also be able to help people schedule appointments to receive the shots.
City Hall received roughly 6,500 doses of the vaccine, but as of Friday only about half of them had been given out. Mayor Frank G. Jackson has dismissed claims his health department is to blame for the delays, saying officials did not have enough time to set up the proper infrastructure needed to adequately distribute the drugs.
"Due to limited supply, it will take time for eligible individuals to receive the vaccine," the city said Tuesday in a statement. "We ask for your patience. As we receive additional supply, we will be opening up additional vaccination sites and scheduling appointments for eligible individuals to receive the vaccine."
Besides people like front line health care workers and those in nursing homes, the vaccines are currently available only to members of the general public who are at least 80 years old. More groups are scheduled to become eligible in the in the ensuing weeks and months.