Who will get vaccinated first? Ohio unveils first phase of COVID-19 vaccine program – WLWT Cincinnati

The state of Ohio has unveiled its first phase of the state's vaccination program, detailing who will get vaccinated first and exactly how much of the vaccine is expected. Speaking during a special Friday afternoon news briefing, Gov. Mike DeWine laid out the state's first phase to begin vaccinating residents of Ohio for COVID-19. "Our goal is to get this out as quickly as we can, as soon as the federal government gets it to us," the governor said. "The plan for vaccine distribution will continue to be fine-tuned, bur objectives are to save lives; slow the spread of the virus; and to ensure those on the frontline receive the vaccine quickly."The governor unveiled what he called "Phase 1A" of the distribution plan, which did not include many surprises. The governor had always said health care providers and nursing home residents and staff would be among the first to receive the vaccine. They are included in phase one, which will be focused on reaching critical groups. Those in the first phase include: Health care providers and personnel routinely involved with the care of COVID-19 patientsResidents and staff at nursing facilitiesResidents and staff at assisted living facilitiesResidents and staff at Ohio's veterans homesPatients and staff at psychiatric hospitalsPeople with intellectual disabilities and those who live with mental illness who live in group homes and their staffEMS respondersHow much of the vaccine will arrive and when will it be received? Many of the details are still being hashed out as the vaccine receives final federal approval. But the governor detailed a preliminary schedule Friday afternoon. As of right now, the state will receive its first shipment from Pfizer around Dec. 15. Of that first shipment, 9,750 will go to the state's hospitals (prepositioned sites), and 88,725 will go to Walgreens and CVS, who will in turn distribute to congregate care settings. On Dec. 22, Ohio anticipate a shipment of 201,000 vaccines from Moderna, the governor said. These will go to 98 hospitals and 108 health departments. Hospitals will vaccinate those dealing with COVID patients. Health departments will vaccinate people like EMS and other essential workers. Also on Dec. 22, the governor said the state expects another shipment from Pfizer. The tentative number of vaccines in this shipment is 123,000. These will go to Walgreen and CVS for vaccination of those in congregate care settings.A few days later, Ohio expects to get another 148,000 vaccines from Pfizer and 89,000 vaccines from Moderna."We're in a very dangerous situation, & I think we can all agree that we can't let our hospitals get to the point where healthcare is threatened," the governor said. "The curfew, mask-wearing, retail inspection have helped, but they haven't helped enough. We'll have to do more. We don't have a choice."DeWine acknowledged that these shipments will not be enough to cover the individuals laid out in the first phase of the vaccination process -- but it is a start. The governor said families in Ohio deserve to be guided by the facts about a COVID-19 vaccine.This is good news for health care workers who've fought through the dark days of this pandemic, but now a new issue is at hand, trust. A recent pew research center survey shows only 51% of adults in the U.S. indicated they would take a coronavirus vaccine. "If employees want to get back to work, it's probably going to be a better idea to take the vaccine so that everyone is immunized and safe at work than it is to really resist that," employment attorney Tod J. Thompson said.Thompson said if an employer expects or requires workers to be vaccinated for continued employment, that's within their rights."Employers can terminate employees at will for any reason or no reason at all," said Thompson.Distrust of a vaccine is even higher among communities of color, which is why the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio is working to educate underserved communities about the vaccine. "We want them to use every tool at their disposal to keep them and their families safe, but we also understand that there is a lot of mistrust and a lot of that has to do with historically how African Americans and other disadvantaged populations have been taken advantage of for medical experiments," Urban League Chief Operating Officer Cinnamon Pell said.

The state of Ohio has unveiled its first phase of the state's vaccination program, detailing who will get vaccinated first and exactly how much of the vaccine is expected.

Speaking during a special Friday afternoon news briefing, Gov. Mike DeWine laid out the state's first phase to begin vaccinating residents of Ohio for COVID-19.

"Our goal is to get this out as quickly as we can, as soon as the federal government gets it to us," the governor said. "The plan for vaccine distribution will continue to be fine-tuned, bur objectives are to save lives; slow the spread of the virus; and to ensure those on the frontline receive the vaccine quickly."

The governor unveiled what he called "Phase 1A" of the distribution plan, which did not include many surprises. The governor had always said health care providers and nursing home residents and staff would be among the first to receive the vaccine.

They are included in phase one, which will be focused on reaching critical groups. Those in the first phase include:

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How much of the vaccine will arrive and when will it be received? Many of the details are still being hashed out as the vaccine receives final federal approval. But the governor detailed a preliminary schedule Friday afternoon.

As of right now, the state will receive its first shipment from Pfizer around Dec. 15. Of that first shipment, 9,750 will go to the state's hospitals (prepositioned sites), and 88,725 will go to Walgreens and CVS, who will in turn distribute to congregate care settings.

On Dec. 22, Ohio anticipate a shipment of 201,000 vaccines from Moderna, the governor said. These will go to 98 hospitals and 108 health departments. Hospitals will vaccinate those dealing with COVID patients. Health departments will vaccinate people like EMS and other essential workers.

Also on Dec. 22, the governor said the state expects another shipment from Pfizer. The tentative number of vaccines in this shipment is 123,000. These will go to Walgreen and CVS for vaccination of those in congregate care settings.

A few days later, Ohio expects to get another 148,000 vaccines from Pfizer and 89,000 vaccines from Moderna.

"We're in a very dangerous situation, & I think we can all agree that we can't let our hospitals get to the point where healthcare is threatened," the governor said. "The curfew, mask-wearing, retail inspection have helped, but they haven't helped enough. We'll have to do more. We don't have a choice."

DeWine acknowledged that these shipments will not be enough to cover the individuals laid out in the first phase of the vaccination process -- but it is a start.

The governor said families in Ohio deserve to be guided by the facts about a COVID-19 vaccine.

This is good news for health care workers who've fought through the dark days of this pandemic, but now a new issue is at hand, trust.

A recent pew research center survey shows only 51% of adults in the U.S. indicated they would take a coronavirus vaccine.

"If employees want to get back to work, it's probably going to be a better idea to take the vaccine so that everyone is immunized and safe at work than it is to really resist that," employment attorney Tod J. Thompson said.

Thompson said if an employer expects or requires workers to be vaccinated for continued employment, that's within their rights.

"Employers can terminate employees at will for any reason or no reason at all," said Thompson.

Distrust of a vaccine is even higher among communities of color, which is why the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio is working to educate underserved communities about the vaccine.

"We want them to use every tool at their disposal to keep them and their families safe, but we also understand that there is a lot of mistrust and a lot of that has to do with historically how African Americans and other disadvantaged populations have been taken advantage of for medical experiments," Urban League Chief Operating Officer Cinnamon Pell said.

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Who will get vaccinated first? Ohio unveils first phase of COVID-19 vaccine program - WLWT Cincinnati