COVID-19 updates
ODH Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses,
Ohio Vax-2-School, COVID-19 Vaccination for Pregnant People & Current Case Data
October 1, 2021

ODH Releases Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses 

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has issued guidance to the more than 3,500 COVID-19 vaccine providers statewide to ensure they have access to the latest information on administering booster doses of the Pfizer/Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccines. In addition, Ohioans can get information about the booster doses from the following recently released resources:

 

In alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), booster doses of the Pfizer/Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine are now available for the following populations at least six months after completion of the primary Pfizer series, meaning at least six months after the second dose was administered: 

  • People 65 years and older or residents in long-term care settings SHOULD receive a booster shot. 
  • People ages 50 to 64 with certain underlying medical conditions SHOULD receive a booster shot. 
  • People ages 18 to 49 with certain underlying medical conditions MAY receive a booster shot based on their individual benefits and risks. The CDC has indicated that this is a determination made by the vaccine recipient, but those eligible are encouraged to talk to their health care providers if they have any questions.
  • People ages 18 and older who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of their job or living in an institutional setting MAY receive a booster shot based on their individual benefits and risks. The CDC has indicated that this is a determination made by the vaccine recipient.

There are many opportunities in Ohio to be vaccinated, including walk-in and scheduled appointments statewide at pharmacies, federally qualified health centers, doctor’s offices, community vaccination sites, and local health departments. There is ample supply of vaccine for boosters, as well as first and second doses, for Ohioans. Ohioans can check gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-427-5634 for the latest eligibility information and to find a vaccine provider near them.

 

Eligible booster recipients will be asked to attest they have one of the qualifying conditions, but specific proof will not be required. Eligible Ohioans should allow 2-3 weeks to get their booster dose, with many opportunities to be vaccinated in their local community.

 

COVID-19 vaccines are widely available throughout the state. Many providers offer walk-in appointments, or Ohioans can schedule a vaccination appointment at gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov. Ohioans who want to learn more about the safety, efficacy, and side effects of COVID-19 vaccines should talk to their doctor, nurse, or pharmacist, or visit coronavirus.ohio.gov/vaccine to learn more. 

Ohio Vax-2-School to Award $2 Million in Scholarships 

ODH Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA, and Ohio Lottery Commission Director Pat McDonald provided an update on the Ohio Vax-2-School program, announcing that the prize money has been doubled to a total of $2 million in scholarships.

 

Beginning Monday, Oct. 4, Ohioans aged 12-25 can enter online at www.ohiovax2school.com or by phone at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634) to win one of 150, $10,000 scholarships, or one of five, $100,000 grand prize scholarships. The scholarships, awarded in Ohio 529 College Advantage plans, can be used at the Ohio college, university, technical/trade school, or career program of the winner’s choice. The Ohio Department of Health is using a portion of its Coronavirus Relief Funds to fund this innovative public outreach campaign and initiative.

 

In addition, the state hopes to expand the age group to include younger Ohioans.

 

Ohio Vax-2-School is an opt-in program, meaning that you must enter to be eligible for the prize drawings. Any Ohioan in the eligible age group, currently 12-25, with possible expansion from 5-25, can choose to enter, and are encouraged only to enter after having received at least one dose of the vaccine. Individuals who entered, but did not win, Ohio’s Vax-A-Million drawings are eligible, but they must enter the Ohio Vax-2-School program, as entries do not carry over from Ohio Vax-a-Million. There is no required time frame for which past vaccinations must have occurred.

 

A deadline to enter and drawing dates have not yet been announced. The Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Lottery Commission will share those details in the weeks ahead, allowing as much time as possible for an emergency use authorization (EUA) to be granted for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for those ages 5-11.

COVID-19 Vaccination for Pregnant People to Prevent Serious Illness, Deaths, and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes from COVID-19
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends urgent action to increase vaccination among people who are pregnant, recently pregnant, who are trying to become pregnant now, or who might become pregnant in the future. Click here to read the full CDC health advisory.

Current Case Data

In-depth COVID-19 data for Ohio: coronavirus.ohio.gov

Ohio's central scheduling system: gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov

Ohio mass vaccination information: coronavirus.ohio.gov/massvaccinationclinics

All vaccine providers: vaccine.coronavirus.ohio.gov

More vaccine information: coronavirus.ohio.gov/vaccine

 

Video of the most recent updates, including versions with foreign language translation, can be viewed on The Ohio Channel's YouTube page

 

For more information on Ohio's response to COVID-19, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is leading Ohio’s pandemic response. If you have questions or concerns about their programs, please use the links below. SMBO will continue to share information from ODH as it is received. 

Trusted Resources 

Provider Wellness Resources

Text 4HOPE to 741 741
Or log onto ophp.org/covid-19-resources

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