The Clinton County Health Department, along with staff from Healthy Communities of Clinton County Coalition and some very welcomed volunteers, began the process Tuesday morning of giving individuals their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“We have 150 doses for this week,” said Health Department Director Rodney Wann. “We were told initially we had 100 and then the state just went ahead and gave us the additional appointments and said more was coming. We have 150 next week as well that are already scheduled and booked up. We are already in communication with them about the allocation getting larger.”
This first round of vaccine is for those age 80 and older as well as first responders.
Once inside the facility at 1234 Rossville Avenue, people are asked if they have an appointment and a couple of other questions. When everything is checked out, they go into another area that has five areas set up plus a waiting area where those who got the vaccine must wait for 15 minutes to make sure they have no adverse reaction to the vaccine. They also get an appointment for the second dose to be delivered approximately 28 days later.
“We’re going to try to stay here in this facility as long as the doses stay in the 100s,” said Wann. “We anticipate we can probably do upward of probably 400 doses per week in this facility. Then I’ll have to look to move to the (Clinton County) Fairgrounds at some point.”
Wann added this clinic will be available as long as needed. Currently, hours are 8 am. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Hoosiers can continue to register at https://ourshot.in.gov, by calling 211 or by contacting one of Indiana’s Area Agencies on Aging for help. A caregiver or loved one also may make an appointment on behalf of an eligible senior.