Ohio Expects to Roll Out Vaccines to Schools, Adults 65+, High-Risk in About 2 Weeks

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Ohio will begin the next round of COVID-19 vaccinations — for older adults, teachers, and those at highest risk of infection — in about two weeks. However, it remains uncertain how many shots will be available, how they will be distributed, and who will be first in line. Gov. Mike DeWine said he will disclose the rollout plan in the coming days. If Ohio receives 100,000 vaccines weekly — which DeWine claimed would be available in mid-January — it would take months to immunize the three aforementioned groups. The governor said the Ohio National Guard will participate, with the rollout to be undertaken at multiple locations including county fairgrounds and drive-thru clinics. The state had administered at least 175,408 initial doses as of Tuesday afternoon, or roughly 48 percent of the nearly 360,000 doses that have been sent to Ohio, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. DeWine said about six in 10 Ohio nursing community staffers have refused the vaccine, worried about side effects or mistrusting vaccines generally, while community residents have been more compliant.