In anticipation of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine, the Governor’s Pandemic Recovery and Response Leadership Team has created a Vaccine Preparedness Office to coordinate a smooth and swift distribution and vaccination process statewide.
Two promising vaccine candidates, developed by Pfizer/BioNTech/Fosun Pharma and Moderna/National Institutes of Health, are in large-scale clinical trials in the United States. Two additional vaccine candidates developed by Johnson & Johnson/Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and AstraZeneca/Oxford are in the later stages of development, but trials are currently on pause. The Leadership Team is closely monitoring guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Operation Warp Speed, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on the status of each vaccine candidate and is hopeful that one or multiple vaccines might be approved in the coming weeks and months.
Once a vaccine has been approved, Ohio expects to receive shipments allocated by the federal government with guidance to first vaccinate high-risk populations including healthcare workers and older adults.
In preparation for receiving a vaccine, Ohio has launched an inter-agency working team in collaboration with partners such as the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) to create and execute a comprehensive vaccination program.
- A statewide provider distribution framework following CDC advice on phased deployment of the vaccine.
- A Receipt, Storage, and Staging (RSS) warehouse for repackaging and redistributing vaccines to medium-sized and smaller physicians and other healthcare professionals across Ohio.
- Onboarding partners to the immunization provider registry, and reviewing progress with stakeholders and the public.
As important stakeholders in our fight against COVID-19, the OafP will receive regular stakeholder communications going forward. The Vaccine Preparedness Office will launch their physician and other healthcare professional enrollment process, with a goal of registering all interested vaccine providers in the coming weeks. Additionally, a dedicated COVID-19 vaccination program website will be launched in an effort to streamline the communications process.
I am 76 years old have CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia) and have hypertension. Given these comorbidities, when will I qualify for for covid vaccine?
And when and where will it be available for my group?
Ted,
Please contact your primary care physician, local hospital, local department of health, or your pharmacy to inquire about their vaccination availability and process.
Take care,
Emily