MUNCIE, Ind. As of April 19, only 23% of people in Delaware County were fully vaccinated, for a total of 1,547,101 people. Already, health departments and clinics across the state are beginning to report a slow-down in demand for the vaccine.
The Indianapolis Star reported this past week that the Miami County Health Department set aside 600 Moderna doses for a mass vaccination clinic on a Saturday, but just a few days before the event, only a handful of people had signed up.
In Fort Wayne, the Allen County Health Department told members of the department s executive board during a meeting that between 75 and 100 people a day aren t showing up for their appointments. The Journal Gazette reported that officials are expecting numbers at the city s mass vaccination site at Memorial Coliseum to wane in the next few weeks.
MUNCIE, Ind. Starting this week, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital will offer the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in the Pavilion Community Pharmacy, located in the main lobby of the hospital, according to a release.
This shot requires only one dose, and like all others, it is free to the public. An appointment through the state website at ourshot.in.gov, or by calling 211, is still required.
When choosing the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the ourshot.in.gov website will list two Ball Memorial vaccine site locations; the one labeled IU Health Pavilion Pharm, should be chosen.
Those interested must also follow state eligibility requirements, which currently stands at any Hoosier age 16 or older. According to the release, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is recommended for patients aged 18 and older.
Brian Reed, director of transformation at IU Health East Central Region, said that while it’s not yet known how the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be distributed throughout the state, having another vaccine helps improve access.
“Since the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a one-shot vaccine, this vaccine will be particularly helpful in mass vaccination sites, temporary or ‘pop-up’ sites, retail spaces, doctor offices and other healthcare settings where it may be difficult for patients to come for two shots,” Reed said. “This flexibility will help healthcare providers be able to reach more patients in the community.”
Bryan Ayars, CEO of Open Door Health Services, said the single dose vaccine will likely be more favorable among the community.