Too many unknown variables exist to say when members of the general public will have access to a vaccination, Gov. Mike DeWine said today during a special briefing on expected coronavirus vaccines.

The state is expected to have access to 98,000 doses of the vaccine Dec. 15, if the federal government approves the Pfizer vaccine, DeWine said. Of that initial Pfizer shipment, 9,750 will go to Ohio’s “prepositioned hospitals,” a list of 10 in different regions of the state. A hospital in Stark County was selected for the region that includes the Mahoning Valley.

DeWine said hospitals have been instructed to distribute the vaccine in a way that prioritizes staff that routinely care for COVID-19 patients. Emergency medical technicians also will be a part of the first wave to receive vaccines.

The other 88,725 doses of the vaccine will go to Walgreens and CVS pharmacies for distribution to people who work and live in congregate care facilities — staff and residents in nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, psychiatric hospitals, veterans homes and those with mental illness or developmental disabilities living in group settings, according to DeWine.

“It has not been determined when members of the general public will have the option to receive vaccines. As information becomes available about the next phases of vaccine distribution, it will be made public,” according to DeWine’s office.

There are too many variables, DeWine said. The vaccines still haven’t been approved and more companies could get their vaccines approved besides Pfizer and Moderna, DeWine said. Manufacturing and distribution will take time, he said. And, both the vaccines expected to receive approval require two doses.

Around Dec. 22, if approval is granted, Moderna is expected to release 201,000 doses to the state, which will be sent to 98 hospitals in the state to vaccinate health care workers that work with COVID-19 patients, and to 108 health departments to vaccinate front-line workers like EMTs. Around the same time, Pfizer is expected to release another 123,000 doses, though the number is tentative, which will be distributed to those in congregate care settings.

Then, a few days later, 148,000 Pfizer vaccines are expected, and another 89,000 doses from Moderna.

DeWine stressed the shipment amounts could change and are dependent on final approval of the drugs.

Both vaccines require a second dose, but the person has to wait three to four weeks between the shots. So, shipments in January are expected to go toward second doses, DeWine said, and that is when the state will actually start to see people gaining immunity.

After three weeks into distribution, health care workers will be administering second doses and first doses simultaneously, DeWine said.

These groups were selected as high priority because of the high mortality rate when the virus hits a congregate setting, to slow the spread of the virus and to make sure health care workers on the front line can do their jobs, DeWine said.

“These are the ones we have found to be the most vulnerable,” DeWine said.

Jails and prisons are not included in the first wave of vaccinations. DeWine said discussions began Friday about when those in jail or prison, and the people who work in the facilities, will receive the vaccine.

VACCINE SAFETY

Dr. Joseph Gastaldo, Ohio Health’s director for infectious diseases, described the vaccine as a weapon to be used in a war against a “ruthless enemy,” the coronavirus.

He said the vaccine is the best chance at getting back to a “pre-COVID-19 way of life.”

Though some 50 percent of people report having doubts about the effectiveness of a vaccine that may come to market less than a year after the virus is thought to have come in the country, Gastaldo said the data will be reviewed in the same process that is used to approve other medications.

The process has been fast-tracked with funds under Operation Warp Speed, so everything is happening faster, but all of the same safeguards are in place. He said 75,000 people from “diverse populations” received the vaccines in the studies. And, on Dec. 10, the data will be reviewed with a “fine-tooth comb” by independent specialist doctors in various fields. And then the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will host a public meeting, where a second wave of medical experts will review the data.

Gastaldo said, “I will be rolling up my sleeve some time in the near future,” to receive the vaccine, and will recommend the same to his family, friends and patients.

DeWine said he too will take the vaccine.

Side effects from the vaccine should not worry those who receive the vaccine, Gastaldo said, because the vaccine is meant to stimulate the immune system to provide an immune response to the virus and encourage the development of immunity.

“It’s not uncommon to feel off kilter,” after receiving it, he said.

COVID-19 by the numbers

The number of cases, changes in cases and deaths in counties in the region and statewide as of Friday*:

County Cases Change since Change since Deaths

yesterday last week

Trumbull 6,980 +228 +1,113 159

Mahoning 9,296 +204 +1,311 305

Columbiana 4,233 +102 +468 104

Ohio 456,963 +10,114 +57,155 6,882

SOURCE: Ohio Department of Health

*Friday’s data is incomplete because thousands of reports are pending, according to ODH.