Coronavirus Vaccine Arrives In Indiana: First Doses Administered

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — The first doses of the coronavirus vaccine have been administered in Indiana to frontline Hoosier healthcare workers, after the state's first allotment of vaccine arrived Monday Morning, the Indiana Department of Health announced Monday.

The first doses were administered to a nurse, physician, respiratory therapist, pharmacist, patient care tech and environmental services tech at Parkview Health in Fort Wayne, just after 12 p.m. Monday, the department of health announced.

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Parkview and Clark Memorial Hospital in Jeffersonville both received initial doses of vaccine Monday morning, health officials said, adding that the two locations are among the five pilot hospitals slated to receive vaccine first. Additional vaccine is expected to arrive at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, IU Methodist in Indianapolis and Community Hospital in Munster in the next few days, the news release stated.

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“The arrival of vaccine is an incredible milestone in our efforts to end this pandemic,” Gov. Eric J. Holcomb said, according to the news release. “The combination of a vaccine and simple mitigation measures like wearing a mask and keeping your distance will get us through to the other side.”

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Over 20,000 Indiana healthcare workers statewide have already registered to get their first dose, and over 50 Indiana hospitals and clinics are expected to receive a total of 55,575 doses of vaccine by the end of the week, with additional shipments expected weekly, health officials said.

The vaccine requires two doses administered a minimum of 21 to 28 days apart, health officials added.

Because vaccine will be shipped to states in phases, Indiana has prioritized the first doses for frontline healthcare workers who provide direct patient care and therefore are at high risk of exposure to the coronavirus, in addition to long-term care residents and staff who have been significantly impacted by the pandemic, the news release said.

“Our frontline healthcare workers have taken care of Hoosiers for months,” State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D., FACOG said, in the news release.“By opening vaccine to them first, we are able to protect our healthcare workforce and help ensure that Hoosiers retain access to the care they need, whether it’s due to COVID or another medical matter.”

According to the news release, Dr. Lindsay Weaver, chief medical officer for the Indiana Department of Health, said long-term care staff and residents are also being prioritized for the vaccine because of the disproportionate impact the coronavirus has had on these vulnerable Hoosiers. In addition, half of the state’s coronavirus-related deaths have been among residents of long-term care facilities, according to the news release.

Weaver, who is leading the state’s vaccine planning and distribution effort, said Indiana will open the vaccine to additional groups as more shipments are received, and encouraged Hoosiers to begin preparing for when vaccine is widely available, according to the news release.

“Science has proven that vaccines are safe and effective at preventing disease, and I encourage Hoosiers to begin learning about the COVID-19 vaccine now so they are ready to protect themselves, their families and their communities as soon as the vaccine is available to them,” Weaver said, in the news release.

For more information about the coronavirus vaccine, visit coronavirus.in.gov/vaccine.