Hoosiers age 60 and older are now eligible to receive a free COVID-19 vaccine.
The state expanded eligibility by five years for the second time, as vaccine supplies remain short compared to the population. All health care workers and first responders are also eligible.
The expansion makes the vaccine available to an additional 432,000 Hoosiers. Additional groups will be added as more vaccine becomes available, according to the Indiana State Department of Health.
Now, the state’s most vulnerable residents will be protected, the state health department says. Hoosiers age 60 and older represent 22% of the state’s population, but 64% of the state’s COVID-19 hospitalizations and 93.3% of the state’s COVID-19 deaths, according to state data.
Appointments for the newly eligible population will be available within the next four to six weeks to align with the state receiving its expected weekly vaccine allocation, the state health department says.
Eligible Hoosiers may be vaccinated at any site in the state. So, if appointments are not available at their local clinic, the health department encourages those who are eligible to look for an appointment outside their city, town or county.
Vaccines are available at 370 clinics around the state and at 11 sites in Johnson County.
Local vaccination sites include Johnson Memorial Hospital, Adult and Child Primary Care in Franklin, Windrose Health in Edinburgh, Kroger stores, some Walmart locations and the Greenwood Sam’s Club.
Community Hospital South and Franciscan Health Indianapolis also offer vaccines just across the county line.
To schedule a vaccine, visit ourshot.in.gov, or call 211. Registration help is available through the Johnson County Public Library, AARP or the local Area 8 agency.
All vaccination sites can be found on the state’s vaccination site map, but sites with doses allocated by the federal government will redirect to another website for registration. Local sites that will redirect are Kroger, Walmart and Sam’s Club.
To date, more than 60% of eligible Hoosiers have scheduled an appointment to be vaccinated against COVID-19, according to state data.
As of Monday, 893,246 Hoosiers have received a first dose of vaccine, and 440,028 are fully vaccinated. In Johnson County 21,411 residents have received their first dose, and 11,849 are fully vaccinated, data shows.
<strong>IF YOU GO</strong>
Here is a look at where you can get a vaccine in the county if you meet the criteria:
<strong>Johnson Memorial Hospital</strong>
When: Vaccines available 8 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturdays.
Where: Old emergency wing, 1125 W Jefferson St, Franklin. Parking in Blue Lot H.
Registration: Online at ourshot.in.gov. Call 211 or any Johnson County Public Library for help registering.
<strong>Adult and Child Health Franklin</strong>
When: Vaccines available noon to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Where: 1860 Northwood Plaza, Franklin
Registration: Online at ourshot.in.gov. Call 211 or any Johnson County Public Library for help registering.
<strong>Windrose Health Edinburgh</strong>
When: Vaccines available 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
Where: 911 E. Main Cross Street, Edinburgh
Registration: Online at ourshot.in.gov. Call 211 or any Johnson County Public Library for help registering.
<strong>Walmart and Sams Club Pharmacies</strong>
Where: Walmart stores at 2125 N Morton St, Franklin; 882 S State Road 135, Greenwood; Sams Club at 1101 Windhorst Way, Greenwood.
Registration: Online at ourshot.in.gov. Call 211 or any Johnson County Public Library for help registering.
<strong>Kroger Pharmacies</strong>
When: Daily 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Kroger stores at 5961 N State Road 135, Greenwood; 2200 Independence Dr., Greenwood; 970 N. Morton St., Franklin; 3100 Meridian Parke Dr., Greenwood; 8850 S Emerson Ave, Indianapolis.
Registration: Call your local pharmacy or go online to ourshot.in.gov. Call 211 or any Johnson County Public Library for help registering.
