The Jackson County Health Department is getting ready to distribute vaccines to eligible county residents.
According to a news release from Public Health Educator Lin Montgomery, those receiving the vaccines will be first responders (firefighters, law enforcement, emergency medical services, reservists and volunteers) who have in-person contact with the public, coroners and funeral directors who have in-person contact with infectious material and licensed and unlicensed health care workers who have in-person contact with patients or infectious material in any health care setting.
Hoosiers age 80 and older also are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Visit ourshot.in.gov to register if you or someone you know is within this age range. Registration begins today at 9 a.m., and appointments are required. The vaccine will be available at no cost.
The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine will be administered. This will be the first vaccine shipment that the health department has received.
Starting next week, vaccine clinics will be conducted from 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays until the end of the month at the health department, 801 W. Second St., Seymour. Only those eligible will be able to participate in the clinic.
Montgomery said the health department will be receiving a limited supply of vaccines. Because of this, vaccinations will be given out at the health department until a larger amount of vaccinations are available.
The old Vallonia High School gymnasium and Seymour High School are a couple of locations that the health department is attempting to establish as points of distribution.
If eligible, individuals will receive an invitation and registration link from their employer, professional association or the State of Indiana (Indiana State Department of Health, Professional Licensing Agency, Family and Social Services Administration, Department of Homeland Security or another state agency).
Qualified individuals are instructed to be patient and make sure your email is updated with the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. It is encouraged to continue checking email and spam inboxes. Eligible individuals are asked to check with their employer if they have not received an invitation.
The Jackson County Health Department will be following the ISDH’s vaccine plan phasing approach. Information about this plan can be found online at coronavirus.in.gov/vaccine.
There is no waiting list for the vaccine. Once a vaccine becomes available to different populations, the health department will make announcements through local media and online at jacksoncountyhealth.org and facebook.com/jchealthdepartment.
The health department will be using an online scheduling tool provided by the ISDH to streamline the process.
Those who do not have internet access should seek assistance from family and friends.
“Even receipt of the vaccine does not release you from utilizing the safety measures we have been practicing since last year,” Montgomery said. “Wear a mask, social distance and wash your hands.”