Ohioans Will Be Able To Search For Vaccination Locations Online Friday

Updated: 3:18 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021

At 8 a.m. Friday, all Ohioans can go to  coronavirus.ohio.gov and search by county or ZIP code to find a nearby location offering the vaccine for COVID-19,  Gov. Mike DeWine announced during a Thursday briefing.

"It will be up to those locations that will have the vaccine to do their own scheduling," DeWine said, quickly adding that he is aware each location will not have enough supply to meet the expected demand.

"It is a work in progress," he said, calling for patience as the state begins the second phase of vaccinations – and the first round of shots that’s not through work or congregate care living. “We’re going to see how this works the first week… we’ll see, we’re going to watch it. We’re going to adjust it as we go.”

Starting next week, any Ohioan age 80 and older can sign up to get the vaccine. But DeWine said the actual shot in the arm may not come for some time.

"We don't have enough [vaccines]," he said. "We hope it will increase as we move forward. But like all states, we have to deal with the scarcity."

So far, 361,603 shots have been given in Ohio, the governor said at the beginning of his bi-weekly coronavirus update. Combined, the Phase 1A and 1B vaccine-eligible populations as of next week totals more than 3 million Ohioans, the governor said.

Ohio currently has two vaccine supply streams: Pfizer and Moderna. A third, single-shot version from Johnson & Johnson is on the way, but DeWine said he did not know when it will be available because it has not yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The Ohio Department of Health on Thursday also reported 9,990 total deaths from COVID-19, 109 in the last 24 hours. The state also has seen 7,654 new cases in the last 24 hours, 340 new hospitalizations and 37 ICU admissions.

Daily New Confirmed & Probable COVID-19 Cases In Ohio
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Next Age Groups In Line

After the vaccine opens up to those age 80 and older, the governor said he hopes to move down by five years each week. To that end, the governor said he anticipates on Jan. 25, those age 75 and older can sign up to get the vaccine; on Feb. 1, those age 70 and older; and so on. He emphasized that this will not mean that each age group will have been fully vaccinated.

DeWine also said the vaccine would be made available to those with severe congenital, developmental or early onset medical disorders on Jan. 25. He expects a more comprehensive definition and discussion on that group next week.

"There will not be enough next week for everyone," he reiterated. "We've prioritized individuals who are most likely to have a bad outcome."

ideastream Digital Editor Gayle S. Putrich contributed to this report.

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