Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box urges Indiana residents to get a flu shot before the height of the flu season.
Dr. Box stated, “This year, especially with COVID-19, we want to make sure that we have as few influenza patients in the hospital as possible. It’s a really important year to get your influenza shot. I would encourage all Hoosiers to go out and get your influenza shot so that we can keep you out of the hospital, and God forbid we won’t need those hospital beds either for COVID-19 – but just in case we do.”
To assist in the effort, Dr. Michael Kaufmann, State EMS Medical Director with the Department of Homeland Security, said a new community paramedicine initiative to being developed to help with vaccinating Hoosiers. During Governor Eric Holcomb’s media briefing on Wednesday, he said EMS providers can assist in the needs of residents.
“With seasonal flu approaching and more vaccinators needed, with the COVID vaccine expected in 2021, and with more children falling behind on their childhood vaccinations and immunizations, EMS providers and their agencies across the state are in a unique position to engage in vaccine delivery across all three of these needs,” commented Dr. Kaufmann.
He commented that EMS providers are perfectly positioned to assist. One pilot program will provide flu vaccination programs in Indianapolis with EMS personnel and the Marion County Health Department at the Shepherd Community Center in Indianapolis, while another pilot program for flu vaccinations will be set up for students in the jurisdiction of the Crawfordsville Fire Department and the Montgomery County Health Department.
“Both of these pilot programs are perfect examples of the ways that EMS can proactively engage in non-emergent care within their jurisdictions in an effort to promote healthier communities. In fact, more than 85 percent of our surveyed EMS provider agencies across the state are interested in starting similar programs. IDHS will be meeting with these EMS provider agencies over the next several weeks promoting these programs in areas of need.”
More information will be released if similar programs are initiated in the local area.
