Media

Older Ohioans scheduled to receive COVID-19 vaccine

Posted on January 22, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ontario OH – Do you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine? Let us help you find the answers you are looking for. Contact the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging Vaccine Information line at 567-247-6503. Calls answered and returned Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Ohio has begun to receive shipments of COVID-19 vaccines and has a plan to distribute them statewide. The vaccine supply is limited right now, so Ohio has identified priority groups to be vaccinated before the general public.

Ohio’s first doses of the vaccine went to health care workers, residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and staff associated with those areas. These individuals were in Phase 1A of Ohio’s vaccination plan. Older adults are included in the next priority group – Phase 1B. More than 2.2 million Ohioans – mostly older adults, people with chronic health conditions and school staff – are included in this Phase 1B of Ohio’s vaccination program.

Doses will be distributed over the next few weeks to specific groups of people in this Phase 1. The estimated schedule is as follows:

Ohioans age 80 and older began receiving the vaccine the week of Jan. 19.
Week of Jan. 25, Ohioans age 75 and older can get vaccinated; those with severe congenital or developmental disorders.
Week of Feb. 1, Ohioans age 70 and older and employees of K-12 schools.
Week of Feb. 8, Ohioans age 65 and older.

Vaccines for older Ohioans will be given by local health departments, hospitals, federally qualified health centers, and some retail pharmacies. How and where to get vaccinated will vary depending on where you live. A provider search is available at https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/vaccine allowing Ohioans to search by county, zip code, and category to find a provider in their area to administer the vaccine. Ohio is distributing both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

At this time, vaccines are being rolled out for Ohioans age 65 and older using a phased approach, getting vaccines into the arms of those who need them the most and are at the highest risk. See the requirements for Phase 1A and 1B here: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/vaccine.