The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Vaccinations for phase 1B began.
Ohio began Phase 1B of the novel coronavirus vaccine rollout Jan. 19 as case counts fell below 5,000.
Individuals 80 years of age and older can begin receiving vaccinations in a development Gov. Mike DeWine called an important step on the road to recovery in protecting one of state’s most vulnerable populations.
“This is another week of moving forward with the vaccine,” DeWine said. “We’re not on offense; we like being on offense a lot.”
In prioritizing Ohioans 65 and older in Phase 1B, DeWine noted age is a big factor in determining the outcome of COVID-19 positive cases.
As of Jan. 19, more than 10,000 Ohioans have died from the virus, mostly older adults.
In what could become a positive trend, Ohio reported 4,989 cases Jan. 18, well under the 21-day average of 7,309.
“It certainly is a movement in the right direction, but we don’t know whether it’s a trend or not,” DeWine said. “The last few days, we’ve seen fewer cases.”
With three or four days of reduced case counts, he also said hospitalizations are slightly reduced, stopping short of calling statewide figures a trend.
While hopeful, it is unclear if it would continue. DeWine said.
The state has unveiled a tiered system for vaccinations to the 2.2 million people eligible under Phase 1B beginning with those who are 80 or older.
When a new age group begins, vaccinations may not be complete for the previous age group.
It will take several weeks to distribute all of the vaccine given the limited doses available.
• Week of Jan. 25: Ohioans 75 years of age and older; those with severe congenital or developmental disorders.
• Week of Feb. 1: Ohioans 70 years of age and older; employees of K-12 schools that wish to remain or return to in-person or hybrid models.
• Week of Feb. 8: Ohioans 65 years of age and older.
In developing the priority groups, DeWine reiterated that the ultimate goal is saving the most lives.
He noted the state may slow down the process depending on the vaccine supply after Jan. 25.
“We know vaccinating statistically, vaccinating a 90-year-old, their rate of death is going to be higher than a 65-year-old, it just is,” DeWine said. “So, we may have to slow down the dropping of the age.
“Everybody’s going to eventually get it, but we’re trying to do this as equitable way as we can, in a way that is targeted to saving, saving most lives.”
The announcement comes as DeWine reported that per notification from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 155 Ohio locations would experience a one-day delay in receiving planned shipments of the Moderna vaccine.
Ohio Department of Health will notify its local health partners of the delay.
Lorain County remains at Level 3 red alert and is on a watch list for Level 4 purple alert.
As of Jan. 18, Lorain County has 14,870 confirmed cases and 185 deaths, according to Lorain County Public Health.