Note: This page is an archive of all previous COVID-19 posts that were on the homepage. 

Latest information (Posted 2/23/22):

CDC Updates List of Compromised People

CDC has updated the list of certain medical conditions that put people at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 to include additional disabilities, primary immunodeficiency, and physical inactivity.

CDC determines the level of risk of severe COVID-19 based on available information, such as published reports, scientific articles, and data from rigorous CDC-led investigations.

This list may not include every underlying medical condition that might increase a person’s risk for getting very sick from COVID-19. This list will be updated as CDC learns more about other medical conditions.

A person with a condition that is not listed may still be more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 and should talk with their healthcare professional about how best to manage their condition and protect themself from COVID-19.

For more information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html 

(Posted 11/24/21):

CDC Expands Eligibility for COVID-19 Booster Shots to All Adults

People age 18 years and older who received Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines may get a booster six months after completion of their primary vaccination series.

Contact the location that set up your previous appointment. If you need to find a different location, there are several ways you can find a vaccine provider.

You may choose which COVID-19 vaccine you receive as a booster shot. Some people may prefer the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.

Travel

If you are considering traveling for a holiday or event, visit CDC’s Travel page to help you decide what is best for you and your family. Delay travel until you are fully vaccinated.

Check your destination’s COVID-19 situation before travel. State, local, and territorial governments may have travel restrictions in place.

Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is required in indoor areas of public transportation (including airplanes) and indoors in U.S. transportation hubs (including airports).

Do not travel if you have been exposed to COVID-19, you are sick, or if you test positive for COVID-19.

If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, get tested both before and after your trip.

CDC updates and shortens recommended isolation and quarantine for general population

Read more here: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1227-isolation-quarantine-guidance.html

FDA takes multiple actions to expand use of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

Read more here: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-takes-multiple-actions-expand-use-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots

Everyone Ages 16 and Older Can Get a Booster Shot

IF YOU RECEIVEDPfizer-BioNTech

Who can get a booster:

  • Teens 16-17 years old

Who should get a booster:

  • Adults 18 years and older

When to get a booster:At least 6 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination series

Which booster can you get:

  • Teens 16–17 years old can get a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster
  • Adults 18 years and older can get any of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States

 

IF YOU RECEIVEDModerna

Who should get a booster:Adults 18 years and older

When to get a booster:At least 6 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination series

Which booster can you get:Any of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States

 

IF YOU RECEIVEDJohnson & Johnson’s Janssen

Who should get a booster:Adults 18 years and older

When to get a booster:At least 2 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination

Which booster can you get:Any of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States

More information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html

(Posted 11/4/21)

COVID-19 Vaccination in Indiana

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has now authorized the Pfizer vaccine for ages 5 to 11 following the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) review of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) amended Emergency Use Authorization. The vaccine is available in Indiana, but the federal government is sending vaccine in waves.

Anyone age 12 and older may now schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment. Call 211 (866-211-9966) if you do not have access to a computer or need assistance. Walk-in appointments are also accepted at most vaccination sites, but registration is encouraged to ensure the appropriate dose is available at your chosen location.

Please note that anyone younger than 18 must receive the Pfizer vaccine. It is the only vaccine to receive Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA for that age group.

Click here to download the above image: https://sycamoreservices.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/21_Youth-Pfizer-fact-sheet_11-4.jpg

(Posted 10/25/21)

Please see the communication below published by The Indiana Department of Health regarding updates from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the COVID-19 vaccine booster doses.  For additional information regarding the dosage and administration for the Moderna and Janssen (J&J) booster doses, please see the following Fact Sheets:

Moderna Vaccine:

J&J Vaccine:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) reviewed the U.S. FDA’s amended Emergency Use Authorization of COVID-19 vaccine for booster doses. A “booster dose” is another dose of a vaccine that is given to someone who built enough protection after vaccination, but then that protection decreased over time (this is called waning immunity).

The CDC has issued booster eligibility guidance. Based on those recommendations, the Indiana Department of Health supports the administration of booster doses to individuals who attest to meeting CDC guidelines as outlined below:

  • For individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:
  • Booster doses are also recommended for anyone 18 or older who got the single dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine two or more months ago.

Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received and others, may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots. Please note that the Moderna booster is a ½ dose.

Zotec booster update

The Zotec system update of the booster dose attestation and consent is anticipated to go live Sunday with a booster appointment for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, in addition to the Pfizer booster already in the system.

While providers may mix and match any booster dose, please note that individuals will not be able to make appointments for a booster dose that’s different than their primary dose until next week while the system is updated. The site information indicates which types of vaccine are available.

In the meantime, if an individual at your vaccination site presents for any type of booster dose, please administer the booster shot and document in the notes field, if using the Zotec platform. No proof of eligibility is required.

Please note that those eligible for the booster dose are not the same individuals already eligible for the third additional dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine due to their immunocompromised status. Sometimes people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised do not build enough (or any) protection when they first get a vaccination. When this happens, getting another dose of the vaccine can sometimes help them build more protection against the disease. For those guidelines, please visit ourshot.in.gov. There is no guidance yet of individuals who received a third dose are eligible for a booster dose.

(Information below published 10/21/21)

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot
CDC recommends that people in the following groups should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 Vaccine at least 6 months after completion of their 2-dose Pfizer series:

  • People ages 65 years and older
  • Adults 18+ living in long-term care settings
  • People ages 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions

 

People who may receive a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine booster include:

  • People ages 18–49 with an underlying medical condition
  • People ages 18–64 who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission due to working or residing in certain settings
  • People can talk to their healthcare provider about whether getting a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster shot is appropriate for them.

Getting Your COVID-19 Vaccine
Vaccines are now widely available. In many cases, you do not need an appointment. The federal government is providing the vaccine free of charge to all people living in the United States, regardless of their immigration or health insurance status. Around 90% of people in the United States live within 5 miles of a COVID-19 vaccine location.

  • You should get a vaccination card that tells you what COVID-19 vaccine you received, the date you received it, and where you received it.
  • Keep your vaccination card in case you need it for future use.
  • Consider taking a picture of your vaccination card as a backup copy.

Accessing a COVID-19 Vaccine If You Are Homebound
If you are homebound and need to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, contact your healthcare provider or your state or local health department. In many states, you may also dial 211 to connect to essential community services.

If you are not able to arrange a COVID-19 vaccination through your healthcare provider or through your state or local health department, try contacting groups that are advocates for people who are homebound:

The Aging Network at 1-800-677-1116

Search for services by ZIP code with the Eldercare Locator

Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) at 1-888-677-1199

Hotline for Medicare recipients at 1-800-633-4227 (TTY 1-877-486-2048)

You may also try contacting private home health services, personal aides, or organizations such as Meals on Wheels. Sometimes these groups can advocate for you or inform you about the services available in your area.

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review
Weekly hospitalization rates from COVID-19 have recently increased for children ages 11 years and younger. Hospitalization rates among children and adolescents are at their highest levels since the start of the pandemic. These increases come as many schools across the country have returned to in-person learning. Masks are important for reducing the spread of COVID-19 among children in K–12 school settings. To keep kids safe, CDC recommends masks for all students, teachers, and staff while indoors, along with COVID-19 vaccination and testing, and physical distancing.

Read more in the COVID Data Tracker.