Ohio expects first delivery of COVID-19 vaccines next week

Ohio officials are busy finalizing plans for the arrival of the first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines, which are expected on Dec. 15 (Source: “As early as Tuesday, the coronavirus vaccine arrives. Who's first in line, and what we know about who's next,” Cincinnati Enquirer, Dec. 10).

For at least the first three weeks of availability, the Ohio Department of Health has directed that the only people to be vaccinated are:

• Hospital caregivers
• Residents and staff at nursing homes
• Residents and staff at assisted-living homes
• Residents and staff pf psychiatric facilities
• Residents and staff at Ohio veterans homes
• Residents and staff of group homes or centers and EMS responders

It is not clear yet the order of vaccination after Phase 1A. States are waiting for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is developing the guidance, to recommend who is next. But the Ohio Department of Health has a draft plan that lists priorities. 

On Friday, the Ohio Department of Health reported 10,359 new COVID-19 infections and 128 more deaths.

The 128 deaths, the fourth-highest daily total, boosted December's virus death toll to 997, surpassing April to become the second-deadliest month of the pandemic. December deaths are on pace to well exceed the record 1,180 fatalities in May.