INDIANAPOLIS The Indianapolis Motor Speedway helped save the Indy 500 for fans, in essence doing itself a huge favor, by having more than 100,000 people vaccinated at the mass COVID-19 clinics it has hosted.
After a year without fans in 2020, Penske Entertainment Corp. said Wednesday its iconic race would be filled to about 40% capacity with 135,000 spectators allowed to attend.
One day after the announcement, Mayor Joe Hogsett urged Marion County residents to not let down their guard in taking steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 so we can return to the things we love like the Indy 500.
At that same COVID-19 update, Dr. Virginia Caine, director of the Marion County Public Health Department, said the Indy 500 was saved this year due to COVID-19 vaccines and help from IMS.
Hoosiers awaiting vaccine react to news of Johnson & Johnson single-dose being halted Rashika Jaipuriar, Indianapolis Star
Replay Video UP NEXT
While America woke up to the news of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine being halted out of an abundance of caution, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway raced to switch gears and get Moderna shots into Hoosier arms.
The Speedway was initially offering the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine in a series of mass clinics throughout April with hopes of inoculating over 96,000 Hoosiers.
But because of updated guidance from the FDA and CDC this morning, IMS – and Hoosiers across the region – had to adapt quickly to the change. People registered for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine were notified of the change via text messages and reminded again once they arrived for their appointment. All appointments began on time Tuesday morning, according to IU Health, which is partnering with the Speedway to administer vaccinations.