COVID-19 vaccines available for children under 5; parents asked to check appointment requirements

INDIANAPOLIS—The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) announced on June 20, 2022 that COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 6 months up to age 5 are now available at some Indiana providers, expanding the population eligible to be protected against the disease. Shipments will continue to arrive at participating locations this week.

IDOH has updated its map at www.ourshot.in.gov to show sites that have indicated they will offer the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for this age group. Both vaccines received authorization from the FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last week. Initial sites will include private healthcare providers, local health departments and some hospitals and pharmacies.

Vaccines are currently available on a walk-in basis at most locations, or parents can contact their child’s healthcare provider to schedule an appointment if the provider is offering the vaccine. Due to staggered vaccine delivery dates, parents are encouraged to contact the provider before arriving to ensure the age-appropriate dose is available. IDOH is working to update its online registration system so that appointments for this age group can be made via www.ourshot.in.gov as soon as possible.

Visit the Indiana Department of Health at www.Statehealth.in.gov for important health and safety information or follow us on Twitter at @StateHealthIN and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/StateHealthIN.


PARENTS SEEKING COVID-19 VACCINES FOR YOUNG HOOSIERS ASKED TO CHECK APPOINTMENT REQUIREMENTS

INDIANAPOLIS—The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) is urging Indiana parents seeking COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 6 months to 5 years to contact the vaccine site listed at www.ourshot.in.gov or call 211 for assistance prior to visiting a vaccine provider to ensure vaccine is available and that no appointment is required. Although some sites may be able to accommodate walk-ins, many sites, including pharmacies and hospitals, indicated Tuesday afternoon that they are requiring appointments due to limited initial supplies of vaccine.

“We recognize that there is pent-up demand among parents eager to protect our youngest Hoosiers, but because vaccines are still arriving in Indiana for this age group, we ask for a little more patience to allow supply to catch up with demand,” said IDOH Chief Medical Officer Lindsay Weaver, M.D., FACEP. “As with every stage of vaccine rollout, we will see increased availability in the coming days as more doses arrive in the state.”

IDOH is working with its external vendor to update the online registration system at www.ourshot.in.gov to allow for additional appointment scheduling options for this age group as quickly as possible.

Visit the Indiana Department of Health at www.Statehealth.in.gov for important health and safety information or follow us on Twitter at @StateHealthIN and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/StateHealthIN.

SOURCE: News release from Indiana Department of Health