ST. CLAIRSVILLE — A registration page for vaccines is available on the Belmont County Health Department’s website, allowing Belmont County residents in group 1B to sign up to be inoculated against COVID-19 beginning this week.

But Belmont County Deputy Health Commissioner Robert Sproul said demand for the shots is so high and the initial batch of 1B vaccines likely so limited that anyone who registers this week will be able to receive a dose right away.

“We’re getting 400 doses next week,” Sproul said Friday.

The 1B group includes Ohioans 65 years and older, school staff and people with severe illnesses. Since the 1B group is so large, the state is rolling out the shots in stages based on age, beginning with those 80 and older.

Those 75 and older will be eligible Jan. 25, followed by people 70 and older. Ohioans with severe congenital, developmental or early-onset medical disorders will be eligible for vaccination Jan. 25.

Sproul said the registration process is very user-friendly.

“It’s basically just their first and last name. It’s asking what category they fit in with 1B, whether they’re 65 and over, whether they’re a school teacher or whether they’re having health conditions, and basically it drops down and asks for their birthdate. It’s a very quick and easy form. We just need the basic information so we’re able to reach out to them when we get ready to start doing more vaccinations.”

Those who register will be notified of their appointment on the Code Red calling system. Sproul said applicants will also be asked for their email addresses.

“If they don’t have an email or don’t provide one, we would just use the phone system to reach out to them,” he said.

For those not listed on Code Red, Sproul’s staff will manually call them.

“So people won’t have to worry if they’re not on Code Red,” he said.

He said all vaccines should be administered in a single day.

“We’re hoping to do a drive-up so that way people don’t have to get out of their vehicles. We’re going to try and work with local partners who work with the senior population and possibly helping us getting people transported who may not have transportation. We’ll reach out to them when we have a firm date on when we’re going to do this.”

The vaccination day will probably be set up later in the week.

A second dose is required about 29 days after the initial one.

The health department website is belmontcountyhealth.com.

Kroger pharmacies are encouraging customers to visit kroger.com/ohiocovidvaccine or to call the COVID-19 vaccine helpline at 866-211-5320 for the latest information on vaccine availability in the area. All vaccinations will require an appointment.

WVU Medicine Barnesville Hospital will be conducting a two-day community vaccination clinic on site Thursday and Friday. Those 80 and older can call 740-425-5255 for an appointment.