We can finally answer a question people have been asking, almost since the pandemic began.
When will most people be able to get a vaccine?
By the end of this month, every person in Ohio 16 or older, will be eligible to get their COVID-19 shot.
News Center 7 looked into what’s behind this huge vaccination expansion, and the logistical challenge to get doses into arms.
Just a few weeks ago, we were talking about these extreme shortages of vaccines.
This time two weeks from now every Ohio adult will be eligible for a shot.
Reva Key from Beavercreek is among those across the Miami Valley pleased to hear some of the biggest vaccination news to date.
“I think it’s good that they’re becoming available to people that want to have them,” Key said.
Governor DeWine started Tuesday by announcing more incremental steps in the vaccination process.
“This is a lifesaver. This enables you to live your life. Get your life back,’' he said.
Phase 1-E for vaccines starts Friday.
That means people with cancer, heart and kidney disease, obesity and COPD are eligible for the vaccine.
In addition to phase 1-E, phase 2-C also starts Friday.
That means anyone age 40 and up can get the vaccine.
Then came the big announcement.
Starting March 29, any Ohioan over the age of 16 can get their shot.
Such a shift from over two months ago when shots were scare
Vaccine clinics are preparing.
Charles Patterson, Clark County Health Commissioner tells us, “It becomes more of a logistical challenge to get people scheduled, but once they’re scheduled, it’s the same flow as we have today.”
Honing their process at the Upper Valley Mall for months they say they’ll be ready.
Around two thousand people got shots Tuesday.
They have retired doctors and nurses already here they’ve got more on standby beginning March 29.
Patterson told us, “this is a large facility so we have the ability to expand and do more doses each day if needed.”
As this vaccine ramp-up approaches, already 2.4 million people across the state are vaccinated.
That’s one in four Ohioans.
According to state vaccine data, that includes about two-thirds of people age 70 and up in the state a nearly a fifth of Ohioans in their fifties.
The governor said, “We look at the variant that’s out there, this is a race. So, I would say to anyone who can get the vaccine please get the vaccine.”
As for Reva Key, she said she’ll get one.
“Everyone seems pretty optimistic -the vaccine availability and just being able to go places maybe hang out without a mask- maybe fingers crossed go to Target without a mask one day,” she told our crews.
Cox Media Group
