With More Hoosiers Now Eligible For COVID Vaccine, Officials Urge Residents Not to Drop Their Guard

BY: DAVID SHEPHERD, NEWS DIRECTOR

STATEWIDE -- Officials in Indiana have once again expanded eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Now, the vaccine is available to anyone in the state over the age of 45.

Teachers in the state are now also eligible.

Health officials warn, with so many Hoosiers getting vaccinated, now is NOT the time to drop our guard.

Indiana hasn't seen Brazilian or South African variants of the virus yet. There have been 28 confirmed cases of a more infectious British mutation, and Indiana State Department of Health commissioner Kristina Box says there are probably more. 

The health department is randomly testing virus samples for the variants' genetic signature, especially when there are clusters of infections that seem to be spreading more rapidly, or if someone who had the virus before is infected again.

Coronavirus numbers have improved dramatically in Indiana and most of the U-S over the last two months, but Box says she expects the mutations to push Indiana's numbers up again after a two-month decline. She says some of the vaccines may be less effective in keeping you from getting sick from the variants, but says in data so far, they still appear to prevent serious illness.

Box says the mutations serve as a reminder not to let your guard down too soon. She says you still need to wear a mask, maintain social distancing, and stay home if you have symptoms. And she says even Hoosiers who have been vaccinated should avoid contact against people who haven't and are at high risk for serious illness.