DeWine lowers the age of eligibility for vaccination to 50, making it eligible for additional medical conditions

by

COLUMBUS, Ohio – At a press conference on Monday, Governor Mike DeWine announced that the state will expand eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine to include additional health conditions as part of the Phase 1D rollout, and that the Phase 2B rollout.

From Thursday 11 March, people with type 2 diabetes and end-stage kidney disease can make an appointment for vaccinations.

DeWine previously included type 1 diabetes as an eligible medical condition in the state’s Phase 1C rollout on March 4.

In addition to the Phase 1D rollout, DeWine also announced Phase 2B, which will lower the age of eligibility for the vaccine to 50 and older.

Phase 2B will also begin on March 11.

The governor said about 1.2 million people in Ohio fit into the category included in Stage 2B, which adds Ohioans ages 50-59.

DeWine estimated the number of people under 50 with end-stage kidney disease in Ohio at about 25,000 and those under 50 with type 2 diabetes at about 172,000.

Ohioans who want to schedule vaccine appointments can use a central scheduling tool on the Ohio Department of Health website from a computer, smartphone, or tablet. Click here for more information about the tool.

Source