DeWine: Ohio on track to open vaccines to all adults by May 1

Ohio is on track to open access to COVID-19 vaccines to all adults by President Biden's May 1 milestone and could lift restrictions in the next seven to eight weeks, Gov. Mike DeWine said Friday (Source: “Gov. Mike DeWine: Coronavirus restrictions could be lifted 'in 7 to 8 weeks',” Columbus Dispatch, March 12).

President Biden said Thursday he wants states to make all adults eligible for the vaccine by May 1. Biden noted that does not mean all Americans will immediately receive a vaccine after that date, but that "you’ll be able to get in line beginning May 1."

"Within a month, it’s going to be pretty open," DeWine said Friday.

On Thursday, Ohio's incidence rate was 155 new cases per 100,000 residents during the past two weeks – down from 179 the week before. DeWine said when that rate reaches 50, he will lift all state health orders including a mask mandate and restrictions on bars, restaurants, entertainment venues and more.

"We certainly could be out of this in seven or eight weeks," DeWine said. "What we don’t really know is the impact this variant is having or will have as it spreads throughout the state."