By Mitchell Kirk | Daily Reporter
HANCOCK COUNTY — COVID-19 is spreading in the county, but vaccination efforts have started to as well.
Residents at local long-term care facilities began getting shots to protect them from the novel coronavirus this week. Hancock Regional Hospital’s clinic continues with hundreds of doses a day, and a second site for vaccinations has launched in Greenfield, at the county health department. A new group of people — those age 80 and older — are now able to start getting vaccinated as officials look toward expanding to other age groups.
The developments come as the county has tallied more than 350 new cases over the past three days, including a record-setting daily high of 141 on Wednesday. (The state reduced the number of cases from 161 reported a day earlier.) Hancock County also added three novel coronavirus deaths this week and saw its advisory level rise to the most severe.
Residents and staff at Greenfield Healthcare Center began getting doses of a COVID-19 vaccine made by Moderna on Monday, Jan. 4.
Andrew Clark, executive director of Greenfield Healthcare Center, told the Daily Reporter in an email that the facility’s pharmacy is providing the vaccinations and that pharmacists and nurses are administering it. He added the process hasn’t been any different from the way influenza vaccinations are administered at the facility.
Clark also said employees monitor those who receive COVID-19 vaccinations and provide snacks and drinks and have Tylenol and Advil on hand for any aches, pains and potential low-grade fevers.
Residents are not required to get a COVID-19 vaccination but are strongly encouraged and provided education on it, Clark said. He added employees are not required to get it either, but they are strongly encouraged as well due to working with such a vulnerable population.
At least 53 of Hancock County’s 88 COVID-19 deaths have been residents of nursing homes.
Sentiment toward the vaccine is positive at Greenfield Healthcare Center, Clark said.
“Residents and their loved ones are very optimistic and are looking forward to getting things back to normal,” he said.
He shares that feeling.
“I am very optimistic with the vaccinations being in place; people need to know the facts about the vaccination and do their part in helping slow down the spread of COVID-19,” he said.
Indiana started vaccinating the health-care workforce on Dec. 16. Through a federal program, CVS and Walgreens began vaccinating residents and staff in long-term care facilities on Dec. 28.
The goal of that program is to offer vaccinations to any long-term care resident who wants one by early February, said Dr. Lindsay Weaver, chief medical officer for the Indiana State Department of Health, during a media briefing Wednesday. She added the program started with skilled nursing facilities and will soon expand to assisted-living facilities.
Vaccinations have also opened to firefighters, emergency medical service workers, law enforcement officers and Indiana Department of Correction officers, along with dentists, physical therapists, speech pathologists and other professions in direct contact with patients.
Hancock Regional Hospital has been administering COVID-19 vaccinations since Dec. 18.
Tim Livesay, director of pharmacy for the hospital, said 2,423 COVID-19 vaccinations had been administered there as of Jan. 6. He added schedules have been almost full every day and continue that way into next week. The hospital administers vaccinations eight hours a day Monday through Friday and can do up to 288 a day. Negative side effects and reactions continue to be minimal as well, Livesay said.
Recipients getting their vaccinations at Hancock Regional Hospital started getting their second doses on Friday.
The two COVID-19 vaccines currently allowed in the U.S. require two doses. Pfizer’s doses are given 21 days apart while Moderna’s are given 28 days apart.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the body typically needs a few weeks to build immunity after the second dose. Those who have been vaccinated may still be able to infect others, so they should continue wearing masks and quarantining if they are a close contact of someone who has tested positive.
Frustration has been rising throughout the nation over a sluggish roll-out of the vaccine. New York’s governor threatened to fine hospitals if they don’t use their allotment fast enough. His South Carolina counterpart warned health-care workers they have until Jan. 15 to get a shot or move to the back of the line. California’s governor wants to use dentists to vaccinate people.
But Livesay said he’s satisfied with the pace at which shots are going into arms in Hancock County.
“I think we’re in a good spot right now,” he said.
Weaver seconded that sentiment on behalf of the state during Wednesday’s media briefing. She said Indiana has been allocated 350,000 doses so far and that about 300,000 have either been administered or are scheduled to be over the coming weeks, while the remaining have been allocated to long-term care facilities.
“We are accounting for all of our vaccines; that’s why it’s the perfect time to go ahead and open up for expanded eligibility, so we can start moving through these other populations,” Weaver said.
The state opened up COVID-19 vaccinations to those age 80 and older on Friday. While that age group makes up less than 4% of the state’s population, it accounts for 19% of hospitalizations and 52% of COVID-19 deaths.
More than 53% of the people who have died of COVID-19 in Hancock County have been 80 or older.
“From the outset of this pandemic, protecting the most vulnerable among us and preserving our health care infrastructure have been our top priorities,” said Dr. Kristina Box, Indiana state health commissioner. “Distributing vaccine is not a one-size-fits-all process. Every state has unique considerations, and that’s why you will see some states adopt an approach that focuses first on age groups while others will start with occupations.”
Those eligible for COVID-19 vaccination can make appointments at ourshot.in.gov. A complete list of those eligible is also available on the website. Vaccinations are offered at 55 hospitals and 91 health departments across the state, including the Hancock County Health Department.
By providing vaccinations at the hospital and now at the health department, the two sites are working simultaneously to move the county toward recovery, the health department said in a news release.
“Hancock County’s community partners have been building plans to ensure the vaccinations are coordinated and accessible as soon as they are received,” the department said. “The planning efforts that have taken place have been the most important endeavor Hancock County has ever undertaken. Cooperative leadership from every department, city, and community involved in this process has allowed our county to transition into combating the COVID-19 virus with science and proactive measures, and we are excited to begin the next stages of these safe and effective vaccinations.”
Those who have loved ones who need assistance signing up for a vaccination will be able to register on their behalf. There is no cost to vaccination recipients, but insurance may be charged an administration fee.
Appointments can be made by calling 211 as well, through which transportation assistance for appointments can also be arranged. The call center is available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Weaver said the state health department has partnered with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration to engage agencies on aging throughout the state to assist with registration and transportation needs.
Suzanne Derengowski, director of Hancock County Senior Services, said the organization she leads is available to help people sign up for and get to their vaccination appointments through its free transportation service.
“I know it’s a big machine, trying to get all of the pieces working together, but we’re definitely ready to be a part of it,” she said.
Sentiments she’s been hearing from the organization’s clients toward the vaccine include excitement, curiosity and anxiety, she added.
Hancock County Senior Services’ transportation line is 317-462-1103, and clients are asked to give at least 24 hours notice as much as possible.
The organization’s main line, for other assistance and information referral, is 317-462-3758.
As more vaccine becomes available, the next eligible group will be those 70 and older, followed by those 60 and older, state officials said this week.
Residents 60 and older make up more than 95% of Hancock County’s COVID-19 deaths, and close to 93% of the state’s.
Box and Gov. Eric Holcomb said an age-focused approach will protect those at greatest risk to death and hospitalization from COVID-19.
“Taking this by age eligibility will keep this not just methodical, but it will eat into where we have the most vulnerable Hoosiers at risk,” Holcomb said.
Weaver said the timing on expanding into the next two age groups will depend on whether the state continues to receive about 78,000 doses a week and the number of appointments that are made.
But she and the governor are bullish on the matter. Holcomb said he anticipates it will be weeks, not months, before 60-year-olds will be able to start getting vaccinated.
“We really would like to move through this as quickly as possible,” Weaver added.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
