Clinics are set

Coronavirus vaccines will be available to some Jay County residents beginning Tuesday.

Jay County Health Department announced its initial vaccination clinic plans this morning. The information follows Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s announcement Wednesday that Hoosiers 80 and older would be able to start signing up for vaccination appointments beginning today.

The vaccine is currently available only to those 80 and older as well as healthcare workers and first responders who “have face-to-face interactions with patients or infectious material or work in a public-facing position that requires in-person contact.” They are by appointment only by signing up at ourshot.in.gov.

The current vaccination clinic schedule at Jay County Health Department, 504 W. Arch St., Portland, is as follows (date of second dose is in parenthesis:

•11:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 9)

•11:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 11)

•8:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Jan. 16 (Feb. 13)

•11:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 19 (Feb. 16)

•11:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 21 (Feb. 18)

•8:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Jan. 23 (Feb. 20)

“We’ve been told we’ll get so many vaccines,” said Jay County Health Department environmentalist and administrator Heath Butz, noting that as of this morning no doses had been delivered to the department. “And we set the clinics up to basically use up those vaccines. …

“This is based off of what they’ve told us we’re going to get. Hopefully that doesn’t change and it stays consistent.”

Indiana State Department of Health lists additional vaccination clinics available in adjacent counties at Adams County Health Department, Adams Memorial Hospital, Wells County Health Department, the Hartford City Elks Lodge, Delaware County Health Department, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, Randolph County Health Department and Reid Health in Lynn. Any eligible Hoosier can make an appointment at any of the clinics available in Indiana.

A photo ID, proof of age or verification of current employment as a healthcare worker or first responder in Indiana will be required. There is no cost for the vaccine, but insurance companies may be charged an administration fee.

When patients arrive for their appointment, they should follow COVID-19 protocols such as wearing a mask and social distancing. A health department staffer will help them fill out any remaining paperwork that may be necessary. They will then receive the vaccine.

“What’s important to know is they’re going to have to wait for 15 minutes after that for observation, just in case,” said Butz.

The wait time is to monitor patients for allergic reactions. Jay County Health Officer Dr. Jerry Whetzel noted Wednesday some such reactions have occurred but they are extremely rare. “We want to make sure everyone’s going to be safe and they’re not going to have a reaction in that time.

“It’s not just going to be an in and out. You’re going to have to sit and wait for a little bit.”

Patients will receive information about when they will need to return for their second dose. (They will also receive a reminder through the state’s vaccination scheduling system.)

The two vaccines that are currently available each require two doses. They must be at least 21 days apart of the Pfizer vaccine and 28 days apart for the Moderna vaccine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it typically takes a few weeks to build immunity after the second vaccine.

The vaccination clinics announced this morning are just the first step in the process. Jay County Health Department is continuing to work on plans, including larger locations and potential partner agencies, for when doses become more widely available.

Holcomb on Wednesday noted that vaccinations will next become available to those 70 and older, and then those 60 and older. Those age groups account of the majority of hospitalizations and deaths attributed to COVID-19.

“We’re only getting a small amount at a time right now. So be patient,” said Butz. “Everybody will get their turn. We’re working with the most at-risk now, trying to get those individuals that we’re seeing the highest hospitalization and deaths addressed as quickly as we can.”

Coronavirus is mainly spread through respiratory droplets or small particles from an infected person coughing, sneezing, talking or breathing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that it may be possible those particles and droplets remain suspended in the air for an unknown period of time and travel beyond 6 feet, especially indoors.

CDC guidelines encourage wearing a mask and avoiding close contact when around others and frequent hand washing and surface cleaning as ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The virus causes a range of symptoms, which can appear two to 14 days after exposure. Older adults and those with pre-existing health problems are susceptible to more severe illnesses.