Indiana continues taking steps to make it easier for Hoosiers to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Indiana Department of Homeland Security Executive Director Steve Cox says local fire and EMS departments are stepping up to bring vaccines to those who are eligible but are unable to go to a vaccination site through the new Homebound Hoosiers program.
“As vaccine becomes available from the local health departments through appointment cancellations, no-shows, or what might be considered extra doses, they’re matched with a recipient on the list,” Cox explained during Wednesday’s COVID-19 press conference. “EMS provider agencies in those areas are then engaged to respond to the local health department, obtain the vaccine, and administer it to the individual in their home or residence.”
Cox said the program will expand once vaccine supply increases. Those who are homebound and meet vaccination eligibility guidelines can get on the list by contacting their Area Agency on Aging by calling 800-986-3505. More than 1,200 Hoosiers have already been registered, according to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
Meanwhile, certain dialysis patients are now eligible to get the vaccine. Indiana Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lindsay Weaver said those vaccinations start this week. “These individuals will be notified by their dialysis provider,” she said. “We will expand soon to individuals with sickle cell disease, those who have received a solid organ transplant, individuals with Down Syndrome, and people who are currently receiving treatment for cancer or have undergone treatment within the last three months, they have active primary lung cancer, lymphoma, leukemia, or multiple myeloma. We will be contacting you and will begin outreach soon.”
People who live outside of Indiana are no longer eligible to get the vaccine here, unless they’ve already gotten their first dose. Previously, they could get it, as long as they worked here. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box stressed that people living in one Indiana county will still be able to get it in another Indiana county. “We really feel strongly that we’re all Hoosiers and that we should be able to go; maybe, potentially, it’s not the county we live in, but it’s where our son or daughter lives and they’re going to be able to take us, it’s close to where we work,” Box said. “Whatever it is that helps to facilitate to get this vaccine in people’s arms is what we support.”
But she admitted that some local officials have expressed concern with that.
