Phase 1B of COVID vaccinations is set to begin today, with around 2.2 million Ohioans eligible to receive their first dose.
This second phase of vaccinations will begin with people who are 80 and older.
On Jan. 25, the next group to be vaccinated will be those 75 and older, as well as anyone with a severe medical condition. It is in this group that some Ohioans who are under 65 are eligible to get their vaccine.
>> Miami Valley vaccine timeline: How and when to get yours
According to the Ohio Health Department’s page on the COVID-19 vaccination program, “Ohioans with severe congenital, developmental, or early onset medical disorders that make them particularly vulnerable” qualify for phase 1B.
Medical conditions and disorders listed on OHD’s website are:
- Cerebral Palsy
- Spina Bifida
- Congenital heart disease
- Type 1 diabetes
- Inherited metabolic disorders
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Alpha and Beta Thalassemia.
- Epilepsy
- Down syndrome
- Fragile X syndrome
- Prader-Willi syndrome
- Turner syndrome
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Severe Asthma
The decision to add those with the conditions listed above was made, in part, because doctors have found that people with underlying conditions have a more difficult time once they contract the virus.
It is yet to be known if those with qualifying conditions will have to bring some type of verification with them.