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From variants to vaccines: Answering more of your COVID-19 questions with 3News Senior Health Correspondent Monica Robins

What's the latest with the new COVID-19 variants? Plus can you register for a vaccine at a location outside of your county? Monica Robins has those answers.

CLEVELAND — Question: Are these different variants I keep hearing about coming here to Northeast Ohio?

The short answer? Well yes, eventually. University Hospitals says it discovered the UK variant here back in December.  

However it's not the prevalent form here yet, although health officials are expecting it will become the main mutation in the states come March.   We know that these variants are more contagious.  The concern is the effectiveness of the vaccines and the treatments. 

Late Thursday afternoon, Novavax said it's vaccine was almost 50 percent effective against the South African variant. Not great news, but not horrible either. And it's also why the vaccine makers are already working on boosters to fight these emerging variants. 

Question: Can you sign up for the vaccine in a county other than where you live?

Yes you can, however, the providers have the discretion and they may choose to give an appointment to someone local rather than someone from another county.  But if you have the ability to travel and need a vaccine, it's worth trying. 

Just a reminder for those who do not have internet service and need to register to get a vaccine, we have an update to our phone list.  If you're a University Hospitals patient, you can now call 216-844-3339. Choose option two and leave your contact info.

Cleveland Clinic patients can call 216-444-2538. If you don't use those systems, you can try calling United Way's 211 helpline or the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging at 844-304-0004. They can help with registration and in some cases transportation to your appointment.  Again, these numbers are only for those who do not have internet access. Everyone else should sign up online, and you can go to our vaccine resource guide for a list of locations.   

Also please remember, no one will ask you to pay for these vaccines and never give out your bank, social security or medicare number to anyone if they call you about your appointment.  

More COVID-19 and vaccine coverage:

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