DeWine lowers age of vaccine eligibility to 50, opens up eligibility for additional medical conditions

COLUMBUS, Ohio — During a press conference Monday, Gov. Mike DeWine announced that the state will be expanding COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to include additional health conditions as part of the Phase 1D rollout—as well as lowering the age eligibility as part of the Phase 2B rollout.

Beginning Thursday, March 11, individuals who have Type 2 diabetes and end-stage renal disease will be able to schedule appointments for vaccinations.

DeWine previously included Type 1 diabetes as an eligible medical condition in the state's Phase 1C rollout on March 4.

In addition to the Phase 1D rollout, DeWine also announced Phase 2B, which lowers the age of eligibility for the vaccine to 50 and older.

Phase 2B also begins March 11.

The governor said that around 1.2 million people in Ohio fit in the category included in Phase 2B, which adds Ohioans ages 50-59.

DeWine estimated the number of individuals under the age of 50 with end-stage renal disease in Ohio to be around 25,000 and those under the age of 50 with Type 2 diabetes to be around 172,000.

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