Any Hoosier age 80 and up can get the COVID-19 vaccine starting Friday. Governor Holcomb announced Wednesday that the state is moving to phase 1B of its distribution plan.
“We know fact certain that starting there eats into about [52] percent of our deaths and just under 20 percent of our hospitalizations,” Holcomb explained. “And then, we’ll step it back from there, down to 70 and then down to 60 and older.”
Those wanting to get the vaccine will have to make an appointment. Registration opens Friday morning at 9:00 a.m. You’ll be able to register online at ourshot.in.gov or by calling 211. How long it takes to get an appointment may depend on where you live. At least one vaccination clinic will be available in every county.
Those in nursing homes already started getting vaccines last week. That’s expected to expand to assisted living facilities in the coming days.
State officials hope that anyone age 60 and up will be able to get a first dose in the coming weeks. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box notes that about 93 percent of Indiana’s COVID-19 deaths fell into that age group.
