Ohio's vaccine supply is going up thanks to the approval of the Johnson & Johnson shot.That means more people can get their dose in Ohio in just days.Gov. Mike DeWine said starting Thursday, people in Phase 1C are eligible, which includes people working in childcare, funeral services, and law enforcement and corrections officers, as well as people with Type 1 Diabetes and women who are pregnant.People in Phase 2 are also eligible as of Thursday and that includes those 60 or older.However, essential workers outside of health care are not on Ohio's list like in states such as Kentucky.But even before Thursday, the vaccine has already made a difference in some area police departments as some have been lucky enough to get one of the extra doses.Officers said there's a lot of hope in every shot."I'm hoping that by doing this, it helps us get back to regular life again, maybe a little bit quicker and I feel like you do have some sort of protection," Newtown police Chief Tom Synan said.Ahead of Phase 1C, Synan said eight of 11 officers are already vaccinated at the department."We got very lucky that some providers called up and said, 'Hey, we're going to have extra doses,'" Synan said.He said the extra doses came quickly at the Anderson Fire Department and nearby Angels Care Family Home."We were able to get everyone vaccinated, which, you know, I called and asked the health department, should we be doing this? And he said, well, you guys aren't in line, but we'd rather the doses not get wasted," Synan said.Many officers are ready for their turn starting Thursday.FOP President Dan Hils said officers within the Cincinnati Police Department could get vaccinated as early as Thursday.He thinks more than half of nearly 1,000 officers want a shot.Hils estimates 50 to 100 officers have been vaccinated with extra doses.In Springdale, Chief Tom Wells said some of his officers have gotten a spare shot."It feels like a little extra insurance. A little bit more of a peace of mind," Wells said.He said about 26 of 38 officers still want one."We certainly come up on a lot of situations where we want to make sure our police personnel are protected," Wells said.With Phase 1C starting Thursday, their turns are quickly approaching."The sooner that we can get that herd immunity going and get everybody vaccinated, I think we certainly would feel a lot more confident with that as well," Wells said.DeWine was asked Monday about why essential workers aren't included in Phase 1C.He said they have had to prioritize while looking at the best way to save lives."We came up with what we think the data clearly shows and that is that age is by far the best predictor. We have made some exceptions as we have moved forward, but we remain focused primarily on age," DeWine said.Johnson & Johnson's one-dose vaccine will join Pfizer and Moderna's two-dose shots this week.The company plans to deliver 20 million doses nationwide by the end of March and 100 million doses by July.
Ohio's vaccine supply is going up thanks to the approval of the Johnson & Johnson shot.
That means more people can get their dose in Ohio in just days.
Gov. Mike DeWine said starting Thursday, people in Phase 1C are eligible, which includes people working in childcare, funeral services, and law enforcement and corrections officers, as well as people with Type 1 Diabetes and women who are pregnant.
People in Phase 2 are also eligible as of Thursday and that includes those 60 or older.
However, essential workers outside of health care are not on Ohio's list like in states such as Kentucky.
But even before Thursday, the vaccine has already made a difference in some area police departments as some have been lucky enough to get one of the extra doses.
Officers said there's a lot of hope in every shot.
"I'm hoping that by doing this, it helps us get back to regular life again, maybe a little bit quicker and I feel like you do have some sort of protection," Newtown police Chief Tom Synan said.
Ahead of Phase 1C, Synan said eight of 11 officers are already vaccinated at the department.
"We got very lucky that some providers called up and said, 'Hey, we're going to have extra doses,'" Synan said.
He said the extra doses came quickly at the Anderson Fire Department and nearby Angels Care Family Home.
"We were able to get everyone vaccinated, which, you know, I called and asked the health department, should we be doing this? And he said, well, you guys aren't in line, but we'd rather the doses not get wasted," Synan said.
Many officers are ready for their turn starting Thursday.
FOP President Dan Hils said officers within the Cincinnati Police Department could get vaccinated as early as Thursday.
He thinks more than half of nearly 1,000 officers want a shot.
Hils estimates 50 to 100 officers have been vaccinated with extra doses.
In Springdale, Chief Tom Wells said some of his officers have gotten a spare shot.
"It feels like a little extra insurance. A little bit more of a peace of mind," Wells said.
He said about 26 of 38 officers still want one.
"We certainly come up on a lot of situations where we want to make sure our police personnel are protected," Wells said.
With Phase 1C starting Thursday, their turns are quickly approaching.
"The sooner that we can get that herd immunity going and get everybody vaccinated, I think we certainly would feel a lot more confident with that as well," Wells said.
DeWine was asked Monday about why essential workers aren't included in Phase 1C.
He said they have had to prioritize while looking at the best way to save lives.
"We came up with what we think the data clearly shows and that is that age is by far the best predictor. We have made some exceptions as we have moved forward, but we remain focused primarily on age," DeWine said.
Johnson & Johnson's one-dose vaccine will join Pfizer and Moderna's two-dose shots this week.
The company plans to deliver 20 million doses nationwide by the end of March and 100 million doses by July.
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