On March 16, Governor Mike DeWine announced that the individuals included in Phase 1E and Phase 2C of Ohio’s vaccination plan are now eligible to be vaccinated. The Governor also announced Phase 2D, which opens vaccination to all Ohioans 16+ beginning Monday, March 29.
An expected 25% increase in the number of COVID-19 vaccines in coming weeks led the state to make these announcements. The state has been receiving about 400,000 vaccine doses each week, and that supply is expected to go up to 500,000 a week starting March 29.
Vaccinations for Phase 1E began on March 19. This phase includes:
- Individuals who have the specified medical conditions listed below that may increase their risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19.
- These individuals are not already eligible through Ohio’s age-based approach to vaccine eligibility.
- Eligible individuals can receive a vaccine from the participating vaccination provider of their choice. Individuals may be asked to confirm that they are eligible to receive the vaccine based on a qualifying medical condition during the registration or screening process (they will not be required to provide proof of medical eligibility).
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Heart disease
- Obesity.
Phase 2C
Phase 2C expands age-based eligibility to approximately 818,000 Ohioans between ages 40-49.
Individuals age 50 and older previously eligible under Phase 1B, Phase 2A or Phase 2B who have not yet received the vaccine remain eligible under Phase 2C.
Phase 2D
Ohioans age 16 and older will become eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine under Phase 2D of Ohio’s vaccination program beginning Monday, March 29. Individuals ages 16-17 will be eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine, the only COVID-19 vaccine authorized for use for those under the age of 18, with parental or legal guardian consent.
While most of Ohio’s current vaccine providers are quickly filling all vaccination appointments, some locations are seeing less demand for the vaccine. As a result, Gov. DeWine announced on, March 22 that local health departments and hospitals that are having a hard time filling appointments with individuals who are currently eligible for the vaccine may book appointments with anyone 16 years and older.