Ohio has begun Phase 1B of its COVID-19 vaccination strategy, which includes people with severe congenital, developmental, or early-onset medical disorders that make them particularly vulnerable for severe illness or death if they contract COVID-19.
Eligible individuals will be vaccinated in two groups staggered a few weeks apart. Individuals must be age 16 or older to receive the Pfizer vaccine, and age 18 or older to receive the Moderna vaccine.
Individuals are eligible for vaccination now if they have a developmental or intellectual disability AND one of the qualifying medical conditions.
Local boards of developmental disabilities are reaching out to individuals who already receive services from them and qualify for vaccination now to make vaccination arrangements for them. These boards are working with children’s hospitals or local health departments who are conducting the vaccinations. Only eligible individuals who work through their local board of developmental disabilities can be vaccinated at this time. Please do not refer patients to a children’s hospital, local health department, or pharmacy for vaccination.
Beginning the week of February 15, people who have any of the qualifying medical conditions will be eligible for vaccination even if they do not have a developmental or intellectual disability. Information about how these individuals can choose to get vaccinated will be shared soon.
The Ohio Department of Health thanks you for your assistance in communicating how your patients with qualifying congenital, developmental, or early-onset medical disorders can get a COVID-19 vaccine.