Highland County is ranked the fourth lowest of Ohio’s 88 counties in terms of the percentage of population that both start the COVID-19 vaccination process and those who have finished it.

According to new statistics from the Ohio Department of Health’s (ODH) COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard released Monday, Highland County had a rate of 26.50 percent and 23.51 percent, respectively, for staring the vaccine process and finishing it.

The dashboard said the three counties with worse percentages are Lawrence County — 25.19 percent have started and 21.99 percent have completed their vaccine; Adams County — 23.84 percent have started and 20.32 percent have completed their vaccine; and Holmes County — 13.94 percent have started and 12.49 percent have completed their vaccines.

In terms of vaccinations, the dashboard said the 26.50 percent of the population in Highland County that has started its vaccinations is equal 11,437 residents. The ODH considers started as “when an individual has received at least one valid dose of COVID-19 vaccine.”

Statewide, the average is 42.74 percent.

The dashboard lists the following COVID-19 figures for various age groups in Highland County that have started their vaccines:

* 0-19 — 238 people, or 2.14 percent, have started their vaccines.

* 20-29 — 623 people, or 12.62 percent, have started their vaccines.

* 30-39 — 816 people, or 16.93 percent, have started their vaccines.

* 40-49 — 1,199 people, or 22.76 percent, have started their vaccines.

* 50-59 — 2,059 people, or 35.56 percent, have started their vaccines.

* 60-64 — 1,479 people, or 48.54 percent, have started their vaccines.

* 65-69 — 1,486 people, or 57.40 percent, have started their vaccines.

* 70-74 — 1,342 people, or 62.89 percent, have started their vaccines.

* 75-79 — 962 people, or 64.05 percent, have started their vaccines.

* 80 and over — 1,233 people, or 63.46 percent, have started their vaccines.

According to the dashboard, the 23.51 percent of the population in Highland County has completed its vaccinations is equal to 10,145 residents. The ODH considers completed when “an individual has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses and is considered fully immunized.”

The dashboard lists the following COVID-19 figures for various age groups in Highland County:

* 0-19 — 132 people, or 1.19 percent, have completed their vaccines.

* 20-29 — 482 people, or 9.76 percent, have completed their vaccines.

* 30-39 — 680 people, or 14.10 percent, have completed their vaccines.

* 40-49 — 1,031 people, or 19.57 percent, have completed their vaccines.

* 50-59 — 1,821 people, or 31.45 percent, have completed their vaccines.

* 60-64 — 1,359 people, or 44.60 percent, have completed their vaccines.

* 65-69 — 1,327 people, or 51.26 percent, have completed their vaccines.

* 70-74 — 1,243 people, or 58.25 percent, have completed their vaccines.

* 75-79 — 897 people, or 59.72 percent, have completed their vaccines.

* 80 and over — 1,173 people, or 60.37 percent, have completed their vaccines.

A new update Monday from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced that the ODH created a new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document that answers “common questions from parents, guardians, and youth about COVID-19 vaccines.”

DeWine said the document shares information about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, parental consent, where children can be vaccinated and more. DeWine said some of the places the vaccine can be received by youth are at childrens hospitals, some regular hospitals, local health departments, retail pharmacies, community health centers, primary care physicians and some pediatricians.

Reach Jacob Clary at 937-402-2570.