Vaccine

The Elkhart County Health Department is hosting two walk-in vaccine clinics.

On Thursday, June 10 from 2 to 3:30 p.m., the health department is offering walk-in vaccines at the Middlebury Community Public Library located at 101 East Winslow Street in Middlebury.

And on Monday, June 14 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., the health department is hosting a walk-in vaccine clinic at Church Community Services located at 907 Oakland Avenue in Elkhart.

The Indiana Department of Health reported 73 additional confirmed deaths over the last week. That brings the state’s total to 13,136 confirmed deaths. The state also reported more than 4,700 new cases in the last week.

The Indiana Department of Health reported 60 additional confirmed deaths over the last week. That brings the state’s total to 13,063 confirmed deaths. The state also reported more than 5,700 new cases in the last week.

Indiana health officials say they’re working on multiple fronts to help counter COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Hoosiers.

Indiana opened registration to all Hoosiers 16 and older on March 31. Following federal approval, the state expanded eligibility to Hoosiers 12 and older on May 13.

Indiana is sending doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to counties without it, in preparation for federal approval of that vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds.

The St. Joseph County Department of Health is now accepting walk-in appointments at its COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the St. Hedwig Memorial Center in South Bend. 

(More details are in the health department's release below.)

Indiana lags behind the national average for COVID-19 vaccines, with just less than 27 percent of the state’s total population fully vaccinated. When pointing to more rural zip codes, health officials said they’re working with the Indiana Rural Health Association to help improve vaccination rates. 

The Indiana Department of Health announced Friday it is lifting its pause on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, following federal guidance.

St. Joseph County Deputy Health Officer Dr. Mark Fox expressed concern at the county's COVID-19 update on Friday that vaccinations in the county might be plateauing.

He said there are now 30 distribution sites around the county, and enough available appointments for everyone who wants a shot to be able to get one.

However, he said the county’s vaccination rate still isn’t rising as steeply as it has been over the last several weeks.

Indiana House lawmakers debated a ban on so-called COVID-19 vaccine passports Monday.

DETROIT (AP) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has vowed to keep pushing the White House for more COVID-19 vaccines as the state experiences a spike in cases. The Democrat on Sunday told CBS’ “Face The Nation” that she plans to work with the White House but wants to do everything she can to get additional vaccine doses. President Joe Biden has said Washington will give Michigan more federal resources to support vaccinations and testing but not additional vaccines.

The University of Notre Dame opened its first on-campus COVID-19 vaccination clinic Thursday, and in addition to doctors and nurses, some students are helping administer vaccines. 

Carol Mullaney, director of the university’s COVID Response Unit, said students who are certified as EMTs and certified to deliver injections have been working alongside other medical staff and volunteers. 

“They really enjoy working with each other, and then the staff just so enjoy working with them," Mullaney said. "They remind us on a daily basis why we’re here.”

DETROIT (AP) — Michigan's health director says the state is focusing on getting more people vaccinated, not imposing new restrictions on the economy, despite a wave of COVID-19 cases. Elizabeth Hertel notes that indoor high school sports, a source of infections, are wrapping up soon, and spring sports are outdoors. All teen athletes must be regularly tested. Michigan lately has been No. 1 in the U.S. for new COVID-19 cases. The health department says about 37% of residents 16 and older has had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

DETROIT (AP) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has gotten her first COVID-19 vaccine shot, touting it as the most effective way to protect people and to return Michigan to normalcy. The 49-year-old governor was vaccinated at Ford Field in Detroit alongside her 19-year-old daughter, a day after eligibility expanded to everyone ages 16 and older. Whitmer is urging parents to ensure their high school- and college-age kids are inoculated, too. Michigan is facing the country’s highest rate of new coronavirus cases in the past two weeks.

UPDATE: Michigan's governor has announced that more vaccine will be coming to the state following a recent rise in cases. 

Many Hoosiers should expect long waits to get a COVID-19 vaccine when they become eligible to schedule appointments next week.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb announced that on Mar. 31 Indiana will open COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to all Hoosiers age 16 and up. 

Also as of April 6th he says that the state's face mask mandate will become just an advisory. However, in places like state buildings, vaccination sites and schools face masks will still be required.  

Also on Apr. 6th decisions about gathering sizes will no longer be limited by state guidelines. Decisions on that will go to the local level at that point.