DeWine conditions vaccine on school openings

January 10, 2021 by Amy Patterson

Although the “1A” phase of COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Geauga County is still underway, Gov. Mike DeWine announced Jan. 7 school personnel – listed in distribution group 1B – will receive the vaccine beginning Feb. 1.

However, DeWine added the school vaccine campaign would be restricted.

“This week we are sending forms to be signed by superintendents – we are asking them to agree to go back to full in-person or hybrid learning by March 1,” DeWine wrote in a tweet. “That is a condition of getting the vaccine.”

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the vaccine manifested by drug company Pfizer is administered in two shots, 21 days apart. The Moderna vaccine is administered via two shots, 28 days apart.

In a Jan. 12 email, Ohio Department of Health Press Secretary Melanie Amato said ODH has told schools staff eligible for the vaccine are those employees of the district who allow the school to operate in-person and that no one will be required to get the vaccine.

The state will be setting aside certain vaccine amounts for school districts and will be working with their local health departments and other vaccine providers to get the necessary shots that they need, Amato said.

“It is important that kids go back to school for their emotional and mental health. The state also completed an evaluation that shows schools can reopen safely because of the mask and distancing protocols in the schools, combined with the testing program for close contact children,” she said.

Amato said March 1 was selected for schools to reopen because it gives providers time to vaccinate those in Phase 1B.

She did not address the discrepancy between the four-week vaccination period outlined in DeWine’s plan, and CDC guidance stating the vaccine may not provide protection until a week or two after the second shot is administered.

Additionally, the Harvard Medical School Coronavirus Resource Center says the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine trials did not measure whether a person who is vaccinated is less likely to spread the virus to someone else.

In a Facebook update Jan. 8, Geauga Public Health Commissioner Tom Quade said another challenge for vaccine distribution is an inadequate supply of doses from the state.

“We have plans, people (staff and volunteers), places, and all supplies (EXCEPT VACCINE) to administer more than 600 doses per week,” Quade said. “Delays in administration are currently tied directly to the limited number of doses we receive from the state.”

Geauga County has received a total of 400 doses since Dec. 21, and GPH is currently expecting to receive only 100 doses per week from the state.

Quade said he hoped DeWine’s comments indicate the county will be receiving more doses soon, as he expects all currently available doses to be administered by Jan. 9, and only 100 more to arrive on Jan. 11.

Members of the public who are interested in being notified when they may become eligible to receive the vaccine are encouraged to fill out a survey at www.gphohio.org.

Quade added it is critical for the public to still implement all COVID-19 prevention strategies, even after being vaccinated.

Those strategies include:

• Wear your mask when with others.
• Keep at a safer distance from others (at least six feet).
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Stay home when symptomatic.
• Adhere to a minimum 10-day isolation from EVERYONE when diagnosed as a positive case.
• Adhere to a 2-week quarantine when identified as a close contact of a positive case.
• Limit travel and social exposures as much as possible.
• Limit gatherings of people outside your immediate household members.
• Get vaccinated when your turn comes.