ASHLAND, Ky. — Highlighting his commitment to make COVID-19 vaccines easily accessible to Kentuckians across the commonwealth, on Wednesday, Gov. Andy Beshear met with local officials and visited the state’s regional vaccination site in Ashland, which was launched in partnership with King’s Daughters Medical Center.
“Through a global pandemic, and now through a back-to-back ice storm and record flooding, King’s Daughters never fails to show up for their community,” said Gov. Beshear. “Along with local leaders, they have worked tirelessly to help us ensure every Kentuckian has a COVID-19 vaccination site close to where they live so they can receive their shot of hope, a modern medical miracle.”
On March 4, Gov. Beshear announced the state is opening an additional 157 vaccination sites, for a total of 567 sites across the commonwealth.
King’s Daughters Health System has administered more than 42,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses so far. King’s Daughters is still prioritizing Kentuckians 70 and older. Phase 1A, 1B and 1C individuals in the region are encouraged to sign up by calling 606-408-2683.
The Ashland regional vaccination site is located at:
Bellefonte Pavillion
2000 Ashland Drive
Ashland, KY, 41169
Today, more than 1,300 Kentuckians were vaccinated at the site, including three who received their vaccine during Gov. Beshear’s news conference: Rosemary York, Elizabeth Fisher and Bernard Ingram.
“We have a great partnership with the state and have been able to administer over 42,000 doses,” said Kristie Whitlatch, president and chief executive officer of King’s Daughters Health System. “Our mission is to vaccinate as many people as we possibly can to help us move forward through this pandemic. The community has been extremely appreciative of the opportunity to get vaccinated.”
Gov. Beshear said each regional vaccination site brings the state one step closer to its goal that every Kentuckian will be able to receive a vaccine without having to travel further than one county away.
During his visit, the Governor also presented King’s Daughters Health System with a $4 million award from an Abandoned Mine Lands Pilot program grant to purchase health equipment. This is expected to result in the creation of 250 full-time jobs and mitigate job losses and concerns about availability of care in the region after the closure of Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital. The grant was first announced in October. To learn more, see the original release.
Kentucky’s COVID-19 Vaccine Website, vaccine.ky.gov, shows Kentuckians which phase they are in specifically. Individuals can sign up for notifications so state officials can communicate with them when doses become available at new and existing sites. Vaccine.ky.gov and kycovid19.ky.gov/ky-covid-vaccine also list regional vaccination partners statewide, so Kentuckians can search their county or region and see how to schedule an appointment.
Kentucky’s COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline, 855-598-2246 or TTY 855-326-4654 (for deaf or hard-of-hearing Kentuckians), has the same features as the website. Kentuckians can get assistance completing the vaccine eligibility questionnaire and scheduling an appointment when doses are available. The hotline is available 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST Monday through Friday.
Free or reduced-cost transportation to and from vaccine appointments is offered by public transit agencies across the commonwealth. These services are already operating in over 90 counties, covering 75% of all counties across Kentucky. Kentuckians can find transportation services near them by heading to kycovid19.ky.gov for a full list of participating public transit agencies and their phone numbers, or by calling the Kentucky COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline.
