The Indiana Department of Health (ISDH) is once again holding a free mobile testing and vaccination clinic in West Carmel as part of its ongoing efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The mobile clinic will operate from noon to 8 p.m. each day through Saturday, Jan. 29 at the Jill Perelman Pavilion, 3000 W. 116th St., Carmel.
Register online by visiting ourshot.in.gov or call 211 (866-211-9966) and a representative will schedule an appointment for you from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are accepted.
“We are incredibly grateful to the State Department of Health for its help,” said Chris Walker, emergency preparedness coordinator with the Hamilton County Health Department. “The mobile crew administered 1,582 tests and 243 vaccines over the course of four days. Our limited staff simply won’t allow us to test that many people, so we’re especially grateful for the extra help.”
“This mobile vaccination site is one more way we are working to give all Hoosiers convenient access to COVID-19 vaccine in their communities,” said State Health Commissioner Kris Box, MD, FACOG. “I encourage everyone who hasn’t been vaccinated yet to take advantage of this safe, effective vaccine, which is the best protection we have against this virus.”
If you are 18 or older, you may choose to receive either the single-dose Johnson & Johnson (Janssen), Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, which requires a second dose to be fully protected. This will be scheduled at the time of your first dose. You can also get the booster dose of your choice.
Individuals aged 5-17 must receive the Pfizer vaccine. An adult must accompany children aged 5-15 to the vaccine appointment. If the adult present is not the parent or guardian, consent must be submitted in advance. For anyone aged 16 or 17, it’s preferred that a parent or guardian accompany the minor to the vaccination site. Of course, this may not always be possible. In those cases, the parent or guardian can provide written or verbal authorization.
Here are some additional facts:
- The vaccine is available at no cost, but insurance information is requested, because an administration fee may be charged.
- Each individual will need to schedule an appointment, even if they live in the same household.
- This site offers the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine, which require a second dose to be fully protected. This will be scheduled at the time of the first dose.
- Proof of age will be required at the appointment.
- After receiving the vaccine, recipients should sign up for V-safe, the after-vaccination health checker, on any smartphone, at vsafe.cdc.gov.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if you’ve been fully vaccinated, you do not need to stay away from others if you’ve been around someone who has COVID-19 or get tested, unless you have symptoms.
Once you’re fully vaccinated, you should still:
- Wear a mask and socially distance to reduce the risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19
- Avoid medium- or large-sized gatherings
- Protect yourself while traveling
- Get tested and stay home if symptoms develop
Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine from the Indiana Department of Health at ourshot.in.gov.