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Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has unveiled the state’s latest vaccination plans, this time setting definitive dates on when certain individuals can receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The state’s first phase of the vaccine rollout is currently underway. Health care providers, nursing home staff and residents, EMS responders and individuals with intellectual disabilities are in this group.
Next in line: Those over the age of 65, school staff, and individuals with severe inherited or developmental disorders (like sickle cell anemia or Down syndrome).
The governor unveiled a direct timeline Thursday on when part of this group can begin to receive a vaccination.
Beginning Jan. 19, vaccinations will be available to those who are 80 years of age and older, the governor said.
Those 80 and older, outside of long-term care, constitute up to 420,000 people.
“We expect to receive 100,000 doses that first week,” DeWine said.
Those receiving vaccines will receive them from physicians, local health departments, hospitals, federally-qualified health centers, in-home health service providers as well as some retail pharmacies. The Department of Health has approximately 1,700 providers already registered to distribute vaccinations and will add more.
“This coming Monday, we will hold a webinar for registered providers that outline our expectations and instructions for distribution,” the governor said. “On Tuesday, those who have been selected to deliver vaccinations the first week will be notified and will receive information about their allocation.”
Some providers may require appointments, some may hold drive-up clinics, or take walk-ins, but the governor said he expects every provider to clearly state how they will administer vaccinations to eligible individuals.
“Vaccines from the manufacturer are usually delivered on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of each week. We anticipate those providers that receive their vaccines on Monday, Jan. 18 will start distributing on Tuesday,” the governor said. “Those that received them on Tuesday will begin to be distributed on Wednesday, and those received on Wednesday we anticipate will be administered beginning on Thursday.”
On Jan. 25, Gov. DeWine said he anticipates vaccinations will open up to those 75 years old and older.
When a new age range opens, that doesn’t mean that vaccinations should be complete for the previous age range. Again, it will take a number of weeks to distribute all of the vaccine given the limited doses available.
Also on this date, vaccinations will be available to those with severe congenital, developmental, or early-onset medical disorders.
“We will announce in the coming days how those individuals will be able to receive their vaccinations if they choose,” the governor said.
On Feb. 1, the vaccination process will open to people 70 and older
Also on Feb. 1, the state will begin to vaccinate school personnel.
“This week, we are sending forms to be signed by superintendents – we are asking them to agree to go back to full in-person or hybrid learning by March 1,” the governor said. “That is a condition of getting the vaccine.”
The governor said the state will be asking schools to send state officials the number of staff they believe will choose to take the vaccination and indicate if they are already working with partners for vaccine administration.
On Feb. 8, the vaccinations will be available to those 65 and older.
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