There are 16 states that allow cancer survivors to get priority status for COVID-19 vaccines, but Ohio is not currently one of them.
Ohio has yet to determine who will be in 1C, the next group to be allowed to get COVID vaccines. Dave Dellahunt with the Ohio Hematology Oncology Society says cancer survivors should be next in line.
“Studies have shown cancer patients have a higher mortality rate if they have COVID," Dellahunt said. "They are more likely to be hospitalized, and in addition, lots of cancer patients have co-morbidities."
Dellahunt says co-morbidities like COPD and diabetes can make COVID deadlier.
Gov. Mike DeWine said the team that determines who gets vaccine priority would meet this past weekend, but he hasn’t indicated when that group will be announced or when the state will expand vaccine eligibility to include the next group.
What questions do you have about the COVID-19 vaccine or Ohio's pandemic response? Ask below as part of WOSU's Curious Cbus series.
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