College-age students eligible for vaccines

Every OHIO student is now eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine through the state’s online portal. Ohio University encourages all students, faculty and staff – and their family members – to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible.

The state’s online portal is regularly updated with new availability and shows all providers within a specified ZIP code. 

There are three COVID-19 vaccines currently approved for use in the United States: Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. Two of the three available vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer) require a second dose, while the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a one-dose vaccine. Students should keep the second dose schedules in mind and look at their calendars when scheduling appointments so they are sure to be in town when it is time for the second dose if receiving a two-dose vaccine. 

“All three of the vaccines offer excellent protection against COVID-19,” said Gillian Ice, special assistant to the president for public health operations. Ice recommends getting whichever vaccine is available to you the soonest. It is important to note that the Pfizer vaccine is the only one currently approved for those under age 18. Any of the vaccines may cause some side effects.

In addition to the state’s online portal, students can find out information about vaccine availability in their counties by visiting their county’s health department website. A list of health departments around OHIO communities can be found here.

There is no cost to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. A provider may ask for insurance information if a student has insurance, but there is no cost for the vaccine and no one will be turned away. 

As of March 25, more than 25 percent of Ohioans have started a vaccine, with more than 14 percent having completed their vaccine. You can track vaccination rates in Ohio by county, age group and more on the state’s COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard.   

After you are fully vaccinated, please register your vaccine so the University can track progress toward herd immunity on our campuses and work toward resuming normal operations. 

For more information about OHIO’s COVID-19 vaccine response, visit https://www.ohio.edu/coronavirus/vaccine.