Here's Which Ohioans Will Get The Coronavirus Vaccine First

Chris Mosby
Updated ·2 min read

COLUMBUS, OH — Ohio officials released their preliminary plans for distributing a COVID-19 vaccine this week.

"The CDC has advised that the approach to COVID-19 vaccine deployment will occur in phases where the first phase will have very limited doses available that scale quickly. The second phase will include mass vaccination reaching a peak of vaccination numbers. The third phase will stabilize to a long-term steady state vaccination campaign such that people will get boosters or the initial vaccine as needed," the draft plan said.

Since vaccine quantities are likely to be limited in the early going, Ohio will implement a phased distribution plan. The first groups to receive the vaccine will be high-risk health care workers and first responders.

Read more: How You Will Know If A Coronavirus Vaccine Is Safe And Effective

The next groups to receive the vaccine, in order are:

  • Older adults in congregate or overcrowded settings (Phase 1B)

  • People at higher risk due to comorbid or underlying conditions (1B)

In phase two, the following groups will receive the vaccine:

  • Critical risk workers essential to society (e.g., health care and public health operations and human services operations) and at high risk of exposure

  • Teachers and school staff

  • People of all ages with comorbid and underlying conditions

  • All older adults not included in Phase 1

  • People in homeless shelters

  • People in group homes for individuals with physical or mental disabilities or in recovery

  • People and staff in prisons, jails, detention centers

In phase three, the following groups will receive the vaccine:

  • Young adults

  • Children

  • Workers in industries and occupations important to the functioning of society and at increased risk of exposure and not included in phases 1 and 2

Finally, in phase four, the following groups will receive the vaccine:

  • Everyone else residing in Ohio who did not have access to the vaccine in previous phases.

If Ohio receives less vaccines than it is currently projecting, health officials may further hone in on specific groups and divvy up the phase one recipients.

According to the state's COVID-19 vaccine plan, officials will be communicating with early recipients to ensure their address is on file, distribution channels are functioning and to review any potential barriers in the vaccine process.

The Ohio Department of Health has already started weekly meetings with local health groups to begin planning for vaccine distribution.

"The local health departments have registered with the Ohio Department of Health as COVID-19 vaccination providers. Their experience in the registration process will help streamline and refine the experience as the registry expands," the plan said.

Once Ohio hits phase three of vaccine distribution, health officials will steadily transition to an annual vaccine model, a la the flu shot.

Ohio COVID-19 Vaccination D... by Patch


This article originally appeared on the Across Ohio Patch