This piece was updated on February 5, 2021 to reflect new data from the State of Ohio
As thousands of Ohioans receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine each day, we have hit an important milestone. As of Wednesday, February 3, 2021 the number of Ohioans who have been vaccinated have surpassed the number of confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases in the state since the start of the pandemic. With only 7.8 percent of the total U.S. population having received at least the first shot of the vaccine so far, we still have a long way to go to stop the spread of COVID-19. Hitting this milestone, however, provides a glimmer of hope in the midst of the ongoing pandemic.
Any day now, the number of Ohioans who have been vaccinated will surpass the number of confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases in the state since the start of the pandemic.
Ohio’s vaccination coverage rate – the percentage of people who have received a dose of the vaccine – is slightly below the U.S. rate of 7.8 percent (as reported by the New York Times on 2/2/21), and Ohio ranks 38th out of 50 states in terms of vaccination coverage.
Ohio ranks 38th out of 50 states in terms of vaccination coverage
Ohio’s phased vaccination distribution meant that the first vaccines were given to high priority individuals such as health care workers; residents and staff in nursing homes and assisted living facilities; and EMS responders. That group of people included adults of all ages. As Ohio has entered into phase 1B, the focus has shifted to vaccinating older adults, starting with the oldest Ohioans. As a result, vaccination coverage rates are much higher among older Ohioans, with more than half of Ohioans age 80 and older receiving a vaccine.
We will continue to track data related to COVID-19 vaccinations, and expect that coverage rates among older Ohioans will continue to rise quickly in the coming days and weeks.
