COLUMBUS, Ohio — It’s a big day for Ohio’s battle with COVID-19 as the state officially entered Phase 1B of the vaccination strategy on Tuesday.
It comes as Ohio Governor Mike DeWine provided an update on the coronavirus pandemic in a briefing from his home in Cedarville.
Here were some of the key takeaways from Tuesday’s press conference:
COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE
As we’ve seen in the last few weeks, the vaccination process was the primary focal point of Gov. DeWine’s comments once again -- especially since the state has now started vaccinating Ohioans who are 80 and older.
If you’re in the Phase 1B group, it’s important to note you must have an appointment to receive a vaccine.
DeWine announced starting next week, those Ohioans with an intellectual or developmental disability and a listed severe congenital, developmental, or early onset conditions will be eligible to receive a vaccine.
Among the conditions that Ohioans must have in addition to a developmental or intellectual disability are:
- Cerebral palsy
- Severe congenital heart disease
- Severe type 1 diabetes requiring hospitalization within in the past year
- Spina bifida
- Sickle cell anemia
- Solid organ transplants
During the week of February 15, Ohioans who have severe congenital, developmental, or early onset conditions and do not have an intellectual or developmental disability will be eligible to receive the vaccine. Further guidance will be forthcoming closer to that date.
OHIO PUBLIC SCHOOL UPDATE
DeWine announced that not only have a majority of public schools in the state agreed to return to in-person schooling- even partially- by March 1, but the state has also set up a center to vaccinate school personnel.
"We are working directly with schools to determine what the vaccination of school personnel looks like locally. As of today, 96% of public school districts have committed to returning to school at least partially in-person by March 1st," the governor tweeted on Tuesday.
ADDRESSING VACCINATION SUPPLY
Although we’re now in Phase 1B, health officials warn that vaccination supplies are limited nationwide. DeWine said there’s a one day delay in Moderna vaccines to 155 Ohio locations. He added that the rollout of the vaccine will continue at this pace until the Johnson & Johnson vaccine gets here, hopefully by March.
You can watch the full briefing in the player below:
MORE COVERAGE: