Ohio – Gov. Mike DeWine on Monday morning spoke via Zoom videoconference to announce the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines in Ohio.
DeWine said that the first shots would be administered in about an hour, after they are thawed.
The University of Cincinnati Medical Center also is getting a shipment of vaccines today. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and UC are getting 975 doses today. UC’s doses were to arrive “in about an hour,” DeWine said at 9:45 a.m. Monday.
“A very, very exciting day for Ohio. This really is the day we have been waiting for. It starts the process of the end. You know, the end is a long way off but the end now is in sight and it’s a great deal of excitement here,” DeWine said.
The governor said that eight other hospitals around the state will receive 975 doses on Tuesday.
The first doses are scheduled to go to first-line responders, who are working with COVID-19 patients.
DeWine said vaccinations at congregate care facilities will begin Dec. 21, according to the federal schedule.
Public Health-Dayton & Montgomery County said today that they do not expect to get vaccines in Dayton until next week. However, health officials in Springfield said Clark County is expected to get its first batch on Tuesday.
The governor said he is planning his regular news conference at 3 p.m. today.