What we know about new COVID-19 variants discovered in Ohio
Ohio State scientists have discovered two new strains of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, here in Columbus.
Who's eligible to get vaccinated?
Prioritization of who receives the vaccine first is guided by federal and state governments. Following Gov. Mike DeWine’s plans for vaccine distribution, we will follow the COVID-19 vaccination phase 1B distribution schedule as follows:
- 80 years of age and older: Now eligible
- 75 years of age and older: Week of Jan. 25
- 70 years of age and older: Week of Feb. 1
- 65 years of age and older: Week of Feb. 8
- 64 years of age and younger: We don't have dates for when you'll be eligible to get the vaccine. We will share this information as soon as it's available.
- Those with congenital or developmental disorders: Week of Jan. 25; The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is managing vaccine plans for this group. Please visit the ODH website for more information and to schedule your vaccine through ODH. If you're an Ohio State patient with one of these conditions, you must get your vaccine through ODH.
- Employees of K-12 schools that wish to do in-person or hybrid models: Week of Feb. 1; More information will be forthcoming from the State of Ohio on the distribution plan.
Please note: You must have an appointment to receive a vaccine, and the option to schedule an appointment is only available once the criteria are met. Vaccinations will take place at the Schottenstein Center.
You can also check with your local health department or the Ohio Department of Health to see if other health care providers or retail clinics have vaccine availability.
How can I schedule an appointment to get vaccinated?
Upon eligibility, patients should log in to their MyChart account, go to 'Visits' or 'Appointments,' select 'Schedule an Appointment' and choose 'COVID-19 Vaccination' option. After answering appropriate health questions, you can schedule an appointment.
View our step-by-step guide on creating and managing your vaccine appointment. Don't have a MyChart account? Sign up now.
If you are a caregiver for a family member and have proxy access to the patient's MyChart account, you can schedule their vaccine as well. Our MyChart FAQ explains more.
If you cannot sign up for a MyChart account, call 614-688-8299 (VAXX) to make an appointment.
Forgot your MyChart password? Reset your password
View our step-by-step guide on creating and managing your vaccine appointment. Don't have a MyChart account? Sign up now.
If you are a caregiver for a family member and have proxy access to the patient's MyChart account, you can schedule their vaccine as well. Our MyChart FAQ explains more.
If you cannot sign up for a MyChart account, call 614-688-8299 (VAXX) to make an appointment.
Forgot your MyChart password? Reset your password
Schedule in MyChart when you're eligible
Be ready when the vaccine is available
Sign up for an Ohio State MyChart account, our free, secure, online health portal, so you'll be ready to schedule your vaccination when you're eligible.
How the COVID-19 vaccine works
Ohio State Wexner Medical Center Director of Infectious Diseases Susan Koletar, MD, explains the latest on COVID-19 vaccines and offers guidance for holiday gatherings.
How a COVID-19 vaccine would protect you
SARS-COV-2
SARS-COV-2 is the strain of coronavirus that causes COVID-19. It's known as a spike protein. Spikes allow a ribonucleic acid (RNA) strand to enter the body, reproduce and kill healthy cells.
When the virus enters the body
When a virus enters the body, your body's immune system creates antibodies to fight the virus. Since COVID-19 is a novel virus, our body's immune system has not encountered this virus before and isn't prepared to fight.
How the vaccine protects you
The vaccine contains messenger RNA made with the genetic code of spike proteins. When you're injected with the vaccine, this messenger RNA enters your cells and produces a protein to stimulate an immune response, similar to COVID-19.
Now if you encounter the real virus, your body will recognize COVID-19 and is trained to fight it.
What to know about mRNA: the science behind the vaccine
An infectious disease specialist breaks down how mRNA vaccine technology works and why scientists and medical experts are confident in its safety.
Ohio State makes history with vaccine rollout
Ohio State is once again at the forefront of global health care.
- We were among the first in the U.S. and the first in Ohio to administer the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Public vaccinations began on Jan. 19, with over 1,700 people vaccinated on the first day.
More information about COVID-19 vaccines
Helpful Links
More from Ohio State
Public COVID-19 vaccinations for those 80 and older begin at Ohio State
On Jan. 19, about 1,700 people streamed into Ohio State's Schottenstein Center to take that first step back to normal after nearly a year of worry.
How can stress affect COVID-19 vaccine immune response?
Researchers at The Ohio State University reviewed 49 vaccine studies in humans dating back 30 years and found that mind-body research over the years has shown how stress impairs physical health in a variety of ways, primarily by hampering the human immune response. These findings could have important implications for those preparing to get COVID-19 vaccinations.