CEDARVILLE, Ohio — As Ohio continues to roll out the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, the state is expanding its eligibility. On Monday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that beginning on Thursday, those with Type 2 Diabetes and end-stage renal disease, as well as those 50-years-old and older, will be eligible to receive the vaccine beginning on Thursday, March 11.
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According to DeWine, this expansion of this eligibility is considered Phase 1D and 2B of the coronavirus vaccine rollout. Previously, 60-years-old had been the age threshold for receiving the vaccine, with other medical conditions and occupations also previously qualifying.
Monday's announcement makes more than 1.2 million new people eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. On Monday, Ohio launched a new COVID-19 registration website, which can be found at https://gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov/.
The latest expansion of eligibility for the coronavirus vaccine in Ohio comes as the state continues to ramp up the distribution of the vaccine after Johnson & Johnson's one-shot vaccine was given emergency FDA clearance last week. Previously, Ohio has also been distributing two-shot vaccines created by Pfizer and Moderna.
In a statewide address last Thursday, DeWine revealed that he would drop all COVID-19-related health restrictions and orders once Ohio reached 50 new cases per 100,000 residents for a two-week period. Until then, DeWine has stressed the need for Ohioans to continue to wear masks and for the vaccine to be distributed as quickly as possible.
You can watch Gov. DeWine's full press briefing in the video player below: