Vaccination eligibility expanded again

For the second time in as many days, the Indiana Department of Health increased the populations eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination on Wednesday.

Beginning immediately, any person aged 50 and above or having certain medical conditions are now eligible to receive their COVID-19 vaccine. Those special medical considerations include:

• Active dialysis patients,

• Sickle cell disease patients,

• Down’s syndrome,

• Post-solid organ transplant,

• People who are actively in treatment (chemotherapy, radiation, surgery) for cancer now or in the last three months, or with active primary lung cancer or active hematologic cancers: lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma.

Those with special medial conditions will be contacted by the Indiana Department of Health to schedule their appointment via text message, email or by phone. Patients with the above medical conditions will not be able to make their appointments by calling 2-1-1 or the Health Department.

They should verify with their provider that their name, email address and phone number has been submitted to the Indiana Department of Health to be able to schedule their appointment. Appointments will not be scheduled unless the patient information has been submitted to IDOH by the patient’s provider.

By expanding the eligibility to ages 50 and above, the Indiana Department of Health has accounted for 80 percent of the COVID-19 hospitalizations and almost 98 percent of COVID-19 deaths. Indiana continues to use data-driven decisions to ensure the most vulnerable populations are the first to receive the limited supply of vaccine.

To help meet the demand for the expanded populations, Putnam County Health Department will open a weekend clinic on Saturday, March 13. Appointments are still required and can be made by visiting the Putnam County Health Department’s website or calling 2-1-1.

For the most up-to-date information, visit www.putnamhealthindiana.org or www.facebook.com/PCHDIndiana

The intent of the Putnam County Health Department is to prevent, promote, and protect the health, safety, and vital records for the people of Putnam County by providing various health and wellness screening services, educational programs, enforcing public health laws and collecting and accurately recording all vital events occurring in Putnam County.