Ohio continues to distribute a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines to at-risk individuals — and manufacturers continue to ask when their employees will be eligible for vaccination shots. The short answer: Most of us will be forced to wait until at least early spring. Here’s what we know right now:

• Ohio is currently in Phase 1B of the state’s vaccine distribution plan. This phase is focused on Ohioans ages 65 and older, those with severe medical and developmental concerns, and K-12 school personnel. With more than two million people in this group, Phase 1B will take several months to complete. (Here are more details on Phase 1B, as well as locations of vaccine providers.)
• The Ohio Department of Health says the vaccine distribution plan for future priority populations is still under development and will be shared publicly once finalized.
• Based on Ohio’s draft plan, Phase 2 — as currently outlined — will include employees for essential businesses. It’s believed this group will contain most manufacturing employees. The OMA continues to advocate that the Phase 2 definition of “essential businesses” should be the same as the definition used last spring to keep the vast majority of manufacturers and their suppliers operating. It’s unclear when Phase 2 will begin due to the limited vaccine supplies.

OMA members are advised to keep in close contact with their local health district since these districts will play a key role in the vaccine distribution. Read the OMA’s regularly published COVID-19 updates (emailed to members) and visit the Ohio Department of Health’s vaccination program page, which includes an updated FAQ section. 1/28/2021