INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (ADAMS) – Indiana is opening more vaccine sites in anticipation of giving the shots to younger kids.
On Wednesday, Governor Eric Holcomb said he will not mandate the shots for kids between five and 11-years-old, but he is encouraging parents to get their kids vaccinated.
Indiana’s State Department of Health is looking to open 13 hundred vaccine sites to handle what could be a flood of younger kids getting the vaccine. Those shots could be available as early as next week.
The Indiana State Department of Health released the following on Wednesday:
The Indiana Department of Health, in partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, announced today that it will extend the COVID-19 vaccination and testing clinic being held outside the Speedway until Nov. 20 to accommodate those seeking booster doses and in anticipation of approval of vaccines for children ages 5 to 11.
The clinics are being held in the INDYCAR parking lot at 4551 W. 16th St., Indianapolis, across from Gate 2. The two-dose Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be offered. Vaccinations and testing are being offered from noon to 8 p.m. today through Friday and from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday this week. Beginning Nov. 2, the clinics will operate from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays through Nov. 20.
“The Indianapolis Motor Speedway continues to play an important role in efforts to protect Hoosiers from COVID-19 and get us through this pandemic, and we are grateful for their continued support,” said State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D. FACOG.
Since late September, nearly 5,800 doses of COVID-19 vaccine and more than 5,300 COVID-19 tests have been administered at the IMS site, along with nearly 1,500 flu shots.
Currently, COVID-19 vaccines are available to Hoosiers age 12 and older, and boosters are approved for individuals age 18 and older who meet eligibility rules. The FDA and CDC are expected to announce a decision on administering vaccines to children ages 5 to 11 next week.
“We initially established this clinic to address the demand for testing during the Delta variant surge but now are seeing more Hoosiers visit the site for vaccine, which is incredibly encouraging,” Dr. Box said. “Although pediatric doses of vaccine are expected to be limited initially, we are working to ensure that every county has access to COVID vaccines for children once they are approved. Extending this clinic will provide central Indiana families an additional option to get their children vaccinated against COVID when the time comes.”
Pre-registration is available for COVID-19 vaccinations and testing. To pre-register for a vaccination, go to www.ourshot.in.gov and search by ZIP code 46222. To pre-register for a COVID-19 test at the site, visit www.coronavirus.in.gov and click on the testing link at the top of the page, then search for the IMS site. Individuals seeking a Johnson & Johnson booster dose should call 211 to make an appointment or simply walk in to the IMS site or any vaccine clinic that carries the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Individuals who visit the site for a vaccine or COVID-19 testing also can receive a flu vaccination while supplies last; individuals age 65 and older who need a high-dose flu vaccine should contact their healthcare provider.
No appointments are required for flu vaccinations, which will be available for individuals regardless of insurance status. However, all applicable insurance coverage will be billed for seasonal influenza vaccine.
