FHD asks Hoosiers to get boosters, expands hours for vaccine clinic
Fishers Health Department announced Monday that it is expanding its hours of operation for the Fishers Vaccination Clinic. This move is in direct response to rapidly increasing COVID cases and decreasing hospital and ICU availability. The expanded hours are intended to encourage Hoosiers to complete their first vaccination round or complete a booster dose.
The Fishers Vaccination Clinic, located at 12520 E. 116th Street, will extend its hours to 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28 through Thursday, Dec. 30. To date, the site has administered more than 82,000 vaccine doses.
“We are absolutely at a point – again – where we are asking residents and Hoosiers everywhere to take this situation seriously,” said Monica Heltz, public health director for Fishers Health Department. “The number one way to protect yourself and loved ones is to complete your vaccination round and get boosted when eligible. The omicron variant is directly impacting our hospitals and health care systems and these measures can help alleviate this pressure. By the very nature of this virus, new variants will continue to develop until we take vaccinations and boosters seriously.”
The State of Indiana reports statewide ICU bed availability at 12.2 percent, the lowest availability rate since the beginning of the pandemic. District 5, which represents Central Indiana, is reporting just 7 percent availability.
Nearly 90 percent of Fishers adults are vaccinated as of December 21. Fishers’ booster uptake rate is nearly 40 percent. Individuals who received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine two or more months ago should receive a Pfizer or Moderna booster vaccine while individuals with Pfizer or Moderna two-dose vaccination should receive their booster after six months.
“Not only are these numbers sobering, but they’re real. By opening the vaccination site to more hours this week, we hope we can capture those who might have time off or more flexibility to be able to make an appointment or walk-in,” said Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness. “This is one step each of us can take to protect ourselves and our loved ones.”
For more information on the steps you can take on how to protect yourself and loved ones from the omicron variant can be found at fishers.in.us/coronavirus. The FHD continues to support CDC recommendations for protection from COVID that include vaccination, masking up, and avoiding large indoor or poorly ventilated gatherings.
About Fishers Health Department
Created in April 2020, the Fishers Health Department exists to bring a high level of health and safety services to the residents of Fishers. The FHD serves its residents through COVID-19 Pandemic support, vital records, immunizations, environmental management, food safety and permitting, vector control, well and septic services, communicable disease management, and educational support. For more information, visit fishers.in.us/healthdept.