COLUMBUS – Young teens in Ohio could be eligible to get the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as early as Wednesday if a federal government health panel and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sign off on expanding use of the shots to children as young as 12.
“I am encouraged that the FDA has already updated Pfizer’s Emergency Use Authorization to include youth ages 12-15,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement issued by his office Monday afternoon. “Following a recommendation, as soon as Wednesday, from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the CDC, Ohio will immediately expand vaccine eligibility to youth ages 12-15 and provide appropriate guidance for parents, guardians, and vaccine providers across the state.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Monday that the shot is safe and offers strong protection for younger teens based on testing of more than 2,000 U.S. volunteers.
The latest news is welcome for U.S. families struggling to decide what activities are safe to resume when the youngest family members remain unvaccinated.
“Vaccinations are our way back to a more normal life,” DeWine said.
Most vaccines rolling out worldwide have been authorized for adults.
Per the State of Ohio mandate, masks aren't required outdoors unless you can't safely and consistently stay 6 feet from other groups. When indoors, masks are required to cover the nose, mouth, and chin. Guests who qualify for a mask exemption aren't required to wear a mask. pic.twitter.com/QbyrwakJGx
— Columbus Zoo (@ColumbusZoo) May 10, 2021
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium announced Monday that masks will no longer be required at its associated properties as long as visitors can maintain six feet of distance from other groups.
Masks will still be required indoors.
The new policies apply to Zoombezi Bay, The Wilds and the Safari Golf Club.
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The number of active COVID-19 cases in Ohio is at an eight-month low. The Ohio Department of Health reported Monday that 28,958 people were currently diagnosed with the disease, the lowest number since Oct. 20 and 82% fewer than the peak in December.
The incidence rate has fallen to 140.2 cases per 100,000 residents, a seven-month low..
The coronavirus has infected 1,084,322 Ohioans since the pandemic began in March 2020, with 713 newly reported cases on Monday. The disease has claimed the lives of 19,428 Ohioans.
The state reported that 4.19 million residents, or 35.83% of the population, have been fully vaccinated.
There were 82 new hospital admissions Monday, bringing the total number of Ohioans treated for COVID-19 in hospitals to 57,402. There were 1,002 patients being treated in Ohio hospitals Monday.
The positivity rate was 3.7%.