Originally published by WLWT5. Author, John London.

HAMILTON COUNTY, Ohio — There is no breakthrough yet about vaccinating senior citizen shut-ins. Some of them lack the mobility to head out on their own while others are without internet access and need help navigating the system.

In at least a couple of Avondale apartment buildings, there appears to be a roadblock to simply getting them registered. It revolves around a dispute between a nonprofit senior advocacy agency and property management for Wallick Communities about who can and cannot enter the premises.

Many senior shut-ins are awaiting action from the state to set up a mechanism to get the COVID-19 shots. From the governor on down, we're hearing how it's vital to sign up and get your vaccine as soon as you're eligible.

As of today, any Ohioan 65 and up is eligible. But at Haddon Hall and Avon View in Avondale, an organization called Serving Older Adults through Changing Times (SOACT) said property management prevented them from going in last week to register more than 70 people for vaccination.

Renee Mahaffey Harris, President and CEO of Closing the Health Gap, told us today, "So, that to me is not acceptable in a time where there are already vaccine hesitancy in the Black community as well as a disproportionate impact of individuals dying."

The state has maintained it's important to meet people where they are for the vaccine. Yet just a few months ago at the two buildings in question, SOACT said it was not permitted inside to even distribute masks.

"The fact that this is a pattern, it must be stopped," stated Mahaffey Harris.

Cincinnati City Hall has now joined with the health department to try to clear all this up.

"I don't know if there really is a problem yet at those particular sites," said city lawmaker Jan Michele Kearney during a Zoom interview Monday.

According to Kearney, registration for senior shut-ins to get their shots has not started yet.

Health Director Melba Moore told us she contacted Wallick Communities and invited eligible residents to be immunized.

We're told a plan to carry that out is coming.

"In case there's some issue or some barrier, you know, we're standing at the ready to make sure everybody gets their vaccination if they want it," Kearney said.

In response to our questions about the situation, a spokesperson for Wallick Communities said, "Haddon Hall and Avon View Apartments are controlled access communities. No one is permitted entry without a resident allowing and/or escorting visitors to their units. Wallick does not permit soliciting from any outside, non-government agency at any of its communities, such as SOACT."

Wallick added common areas are closed due to the pandemic.

We were told some residents at Haddon Hall have access to Service Coordinators, who could help residents who have asked for assistance registering and getting vaccinated.

"Except for those cases, it is incumbent upon residents to research and secure their own health care,” the Wallick statement said.

Wallick stated its representatives have contacted the Cincinnati Health Department to find out its processes and protocols for vaccine distribution to this age group.

According to Melanie Amato, Press Secretary for the Ohio Department of Health, "People who are homebound or have transportation challenges should call their Area Agency on Aging. Ohio's AAAs are working with local health departments and local emergency management agencies to connect folks with transportation, or in many cases, bring the vaccine to the individual's residence."

She indicated vaccination clinics at affordable senior housing complexes would start soon and that the Ohio National Guard would help provide walker and wheelchair assists to those seniors who are able to come to the lobby/clinic location.

In cases where the senior is unable to leave his or her apartment, the vaccine would be brought directly to them.