When Gov. Eric Holcomb first rolled out Indiana’s COVID-19 vaccination blueprint, the priority was clear: get the shots into the arms of the most vulnerable Hoosiers first.
While the plan hasn’t always been popular, especially given the sluggish speed of the rollout, significant progress has been made in recent weeks.
On Tuesday a major milestone was reached, as the Indiana State Department of Health announced that Hoosiers aged 60 and older can now sign up for appointments. That expansion opens the eligibility pool up to an additional 432,000 Hoosiers.
This week’s news is notable given that individuals aged 60 and older make up about 22% of the state’s population and have accounted for 64% of the COVID-19 hospitalizations and 93.3% of the deaths in Indiana.
One in four Bartholomew County residents are now eligible for the vaccine, as about 22% of the county’s population is 60 and up, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Ninety percent of Bartholomew County’s deaths have fallen within that age group. Ninety percent of Bartholomew County’s deaths have fallen within that age group.
A small, but important, note was also added to the state’s vaccination sign-up website, as it says that it specifically says that the vaccine is only open to Indiana residents and that a proof of residency will be required at appointments.
Last week, The Indianapolis Star reported that about 17,0000 — mostly healthcare workers that commute into Indiana cities — from out of state had received doses in Indiana. With those essential workers now vaccinated, it’s important that all doses go to Hoosiers.
The vaccine developments should provide hope and joy, but caution is still needed every day. The country also hit a grim milestone earlier this week as the country eclipsed 500,000 COVID-19 deaths, with Indiana accounting for more than 12,000 fatalities.
A semblance of normal life is on the horizon, but it will continue to take a community effort to keep as many Hoosiers as healthy and safe as possible.
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Hoosiers aged 60 and older, along with healthcare workers, long-term care residents and first responders, are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. To schedule, visit https://ourshot.in.gov or call 211.
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