Indiana is vaccinating the most vulnerable populations first based on age and profession. At this time, they anticipate vaccines will be available to the general public (16 and older) by late spring to the end of summer.
Signing up for multiple appointments will only slow down the vaccination process for everyone seeking a vaccine. Please only make one appointment for a vaccine to save time, resources and the vaccine supply.
There are several reasons to get vaccinated, even if you’ve had COVID-19. First, and most important, you could become re-infected, especially if your initial infection was mild and your body did not produce enough antibodies. They are also unsure if natural infection will protect you from COVID-19 variants, so it is best to get vaccinated to avoid getting COVID-19 again.
Wait to get your vaccine if you currently have COVID-19 or have been recently exposed. You should wait until you no longer have COVID-19 symptoms and at least 14 days after first signs of illness before receiving the vaccine. If you were treated for COVID-19 with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, you should wait at least 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine. If you were exposed to someone with the virus, you should complete your quarantine before scheduling an appointment for the vaccine.
After getting your COVID-19 Vaccine make sure you get your second dose. Current COVID-19 vaccines need two doses—21 or 28 days apart from the first vaccine depending on the brand you received. While the first dose provides some protection, the second dose is what really activates your body’s immune response to provide the highest level of protection from COVID.
Getting vaccinated can make traveling safer, but the risks are not completely gone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still recommends limiting travel to essential travel. Your chance of being exposed to COVID-19 while traveling is high—especially with new variants emerging.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends avoiding other non-COVID vaccines for 14 days before and after getting your COVID-19 vaccine. This helps to keep your immune system from being overloaded.
Even after you get vaccinated, you should continue to wear a mask, wash your hands, practice physical distancing and avoid crowds. These proven measures save lives and are the best tools we have to fight this pandemic until we have enough people vaccinated.
