DeWine reduces vaccine eligibility age to 50, opens eligibility for additional medical conditions

COLUMBUS, Ohio – During a news conference on Monday, Governor Mike DeWine announced that the state will expand the eligibility of the COVID-19 vaccine to include additional health conditions as part of Phase 1D implementation – as well as reduce the eligibility of age as part of Phase 2B Implementation.

As of Thursday, March 11, individuals with type 2 diabetes and end-stage kidney disease will be able to make appointments for vaccination.

DeWine previously included type 1 diabetes as an eligible medical condition in the state’s Phase 1C launch on March 4.

In addition to the launch of Phase 1D, DeWine also announced Phase 2B, which reduces the age of eligibility for the vaccine to 50 years or older.

Phase 2B also starts on March 11th.

The governor said that about 1.2 million people in Ohio fall into the category included in Phase 2B, which adds Ohio citizens aged 50-59.

DeWine estimated the number of individuals under 50 with end-stage kidney disease in Ohio to be around 25,000 and those under 50 to have type 2 diabetes at around 172,000.

Ohio residents who want to schedule vaccine appointments will be able to use a central scheduling tool on the Ohio Department of Health website from a computer, smartphone or tablet. To learn more about the tool, click here.