Tag Archives: Eligible

Health

Where to get the shot and who is eligible in Mississippi

Leave a comment

COVID-19 vaccine: Where to get the shot and who is eligible in Mississippi



Good afternoon, guys. And and I just want to touch on a few of the high points going back to actually, um, more than a year ago, Um, kind of cover, just a couple of things of interest and note that occurred throughout 2020 and the early part of 2021 then give a brief overview of of where we currently are now. So, um, what is known as as covid 19 now was actually on our radar very early in 2020 January 9th 2020 was actually the first notification that we sent out the providers in the state of a number of cases of pneumonia that had occurred in the Wuhan, China province. Um, that at the time, the cause was unknown. Um, but fast forward to, uh, January 21st just a couple of weeks later. And the first case by that time had been identified within the United States. And by February, um, it was at that point that we were calling it covid 19 or coronavirus. Uh, disease. Uh, that was first identified in December of 2019. Um, you know, it was apparent after that first case that was identified in late January in the United States that community spread had been occurring much more widely than was realized. And by late February, um, it was well documented. The community spread had occurred in Washington state, in Oregon and California, and by March 11th is when the World Health Organization first, uh reported and declared that this was a pandemic. It was coincidentally, at that time that Mississippi reported its first case, Um, and by March 19th, we had reported our first death in an individual over the age of 60. So, really, that was the beginning of our first wave in Mississippi that was marked by at that time, significant impact in our long term care settings, with about 50% of our deaths occurring among long term care residents. At that point, as the pandemic progressed by April of 2020 CDC had now recommended universal mask use. Um uh, as as a preventive measure to prevent transmission. Um, we were also becoming aware at that time of the impact of cases in Children. And it was in May of 2020 that Mississippi reported our first case of multi system inflammatory syndrome in Children. Um, and so that marked what was being seen nationally and across the world as well is the significant impact that this can occur in Children. By this time, we were starting to see some downward trends in our overall case numbers. But as you many of you remember, after the Fourth of July, um, in 2020 we began what really was the second way and far exceeded in case numbers and deaths. What we saw with the initial, um, wave in March and April. So that really lasted from July to September. And it was during that time in August of 2020 that we reported our first pediatric death in the state. As many of you all recall, um, we started to see some downward trends after late August and September going into school, Um, when school was starting and, uh, we saw some decreases in our overall case numbers and death. But heading toward the holidays. And by November of 2020 we again saw a big surge that actually lasted, um, through to to the end of January, early February of this year. Uh, it was during that third wave that we’ve had so far that we actually saw our peak number of hospitalizations on any given day at over 1400 hospitalizations reported out, we saw a peak number of cases on January 8th and more than 3500 cases were reported is actually occurring on that day. That was also when we saw our peak number of deaths with 57 deaths were occurring on one day, January 15th of 2021. It was also during this time that we identified our first variant strain of Covid 19. And, uh, as we know now, there have been multiple variant strains that have been identified in various parts of the U. S. And in the world. So where does that leave us where we are now? Well, we are continuing to see downward trends over these last few weeks. We have, uh, reported out today, uh, 70 cases. That’s one of the lowest that we’ve reported in quite some time and no deaths. But if you look at our trends, we continue to see some declines in the overall number of cases that are reported and occurring on a daily basis and the number of deaths. We are also seeing another a number of other indicators that are encouraging. We’re seeing our syndrome IQ surveillance, which is emergency department visits for for individuals with covid like illness. Those are on on the decline. When we look at our overall hospitalizations and I see you use for covid related illnesses and ventilator used for covid related illnesses, all of these indicators are on the way down. Um, we are also seeing, uh, some improvement and impact on our long term care settings. And we’re actually have more less than than 50 nursing homes in the state right now with ongoing outbreak. Um, these are all promising indicators, and they’re all good indicators that we are that we are moving in the right direction. So, Dr Dobbs, I think that brings us to, um, uh, March 2021. I’ll let you jump in with the, uh, the vaccine or, uh or or Liz you directed. Yes. So I’ll go ahead and give us an overview of where we are with our vaccination. So on December 14th, the first covid shots were given in the state of Mississippi, and this is the bottle where the first covid shots were given, and three of the people who received those doses are here with me today. Uh, Dr Paul buyers, Mr Jim Craig and myself And we were so excited to have the vaccine because we had been suffering horribly under this pandemic. December 14th was not the culmination of a year’s worth of research. It was the culmination of over a decade’s worth of research into a new and exciting technology to create vaccines from messenger RNA. We’re very fortunate that when the covid pandemic hit us, that the vaccine makers were ready set to ship for their messenger Arnie technology from flu and other infections and apply it for use with covid. And for that reason we have mRNA technology. Keep in mind, a lot of folks are worried that this was done very quickly. In a way, it was done very quickly. You know, we were able to pull together a vaccine and have it produced a really almost a miraculous sort of fashion. But the research behind it goes back many, many years, and the depth of the research, as far as the safety and efficacy meets the same standards as the other vaccines that we take every day. The flu shot the pneumonia shot the shingles vaccine Really phenomenal, exciting, developed If we think about this vaccine and we also know we were fortunate to have shortly thereafter the Moderna vaccine. And now, a week ago, we were able to get a hold of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. And just last week, we were able to immunize, um, get over 130,000 shots and Mississippians to fight Children. Now the immunization effort hasn’t been easy. We’re not far into it, keep in mind. But it has not been easy, especially when we think about underserved populations, populations that might have good reason for historic mistrust of the government and healthcare system. And so, early on, we recognized that we were struggling with populations, uh, that were disproportionately affected by covid early on, as far as deaths and hospitalizations, primarily the African American community. Early on, black Mississippians were accounting for about 15% of the vaccine utilized Mississippi, while accounting for 38% of the population. But just this last week, we saw an increase to 30% of the vaccine going to black Mississippians, and our average overall has increased to 25%. So I do want to thank our partners. I’d like to thank leaders in the black community. Black ministers, um, leaders of physicians, nurses. We’ve really done a great job State Medical Association for making sure that there’s an understanding of how important this vaccine is. And it’s also something that that we need to do is get more access for everybody, not just, um, if you’re if you’re African American or if you’re Vietnamese or if you’re Hispanic or if you live in a rural area. So we’re really proud of the work that we’ve done with our vaccination. But we have a long way to go. We’re not done with the Covid pandemic. Covid is real, and we’re really winning, right? But just like in a baseball game, just if your upper runner two in the sixth or seventh inning, you don’t just lay down and let the other team just go at it on offense, it’s time to continue with some of the safety measures we have in place. Continue to mask in public, continue to avoid indoor social gatherings and get vaccinated when it’s your turn. Now, fortunately, we’re seeing some light at the end of the tunnel, CDC released new guidance today that says, If you are going to do something with other people who are vaccinated, you can do social events or be around other folks without a mask if you’re all vaccinated, Fantastic developments. We got a lot of optimism on the horizon, but we also have challenges. We have viral variants. We have variants that are more contagious and maybe some that are going to make that seem less effective. I just want to reiterate how important is to do these approaches in tandem vaccination and prevention, although there is not a statewide mandate right now or really, you know, most of those are gonna be local as they exist all over the state I’ve seen over the past week people continue to show prudent behavior by wearing masks in public, and I just want us to keep that up. I’m proud of Mississippi. I’m proud of what we’re doing. Let’s keep our foot on the accelerator, pushing covid down so that we can get back to full normal before too long. And that’s all that I have and I’ll kick it back to you. Liz, thank you so much. And Dr Dobbs, I didn’t hear you mention this, But one of our other great partners working with the African American communities has been the historically black colleges and universities. So a big thank you to them as well. Uh, Jim Craig, can you go ahead, please? Sure. Thank you. And I appreciate the opportunity to share just a little bit of the history of of where we’ve come from from last year to now on our testing front and also in our vaccination efforts, especially in our drive through operations. So just a short time ago, March 3rd 2020 is when we stood up the Health Department’s Emergency Operations Center and began formalized response to the Covid pandemic. A few weeks later, March 16th Governor Reeves activated the Mississippi National Guard, and they have been a wonderful partner in both our testing mission and in our vaccination mission through the drive thru locations. March 20th. Community testing began throughout the state, uh, including a lot of our county Health Department’s normal referral places for testing, while every health department is not open every day of the week, we tried to work to make sure that testing was available in every county, at least once once to twice a week to fill those holes that might exist between private providers that were out there. Providing coding testing March 24th was a great date for testing when we opened the Mississippi Fairgrounds, and you might remember that we had a testing location out there for quite some time. That was supported by other great partner at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in June 3rd, we transitioned away from the fairgrounds and moved over to the Capital city testing Center at the Farmer’s Market, where it’s still providing testing for the capital city area today and operates Monday through Saturday on December 30th. If we look for what happened since the beginning of our operations through that first year are cumulative number of testing site days. Days where we actually tested somewhere was 2750 and the Capital City location at that point the end of December had tested 34,481 individuals. Total testing in the state of Mississippi by December 30th was one point set just a little over 1.7 million Mississippians that had been tested march 7th 2021 we jump ahead to where are we at now? Compared to last year, instead of 2750 cumulative testing days, we’re now at 3360. Our capital city site is now tested 52,637 individuals, and our total testing as of the 28th of February statewide is 2,472,673 specimens processed. So that testing effort and again in combination with the University Medical Center, the Mississippi National Guard, Mima. Lots of folks in some great teams at the Health department, especially our local health departments, being part of that process has made it a very successful event for for providing testing in Mississippi, we transitioned a lot of that infrastructure in the beginning is vaccination talks were coming to roll from not only providing back testing, but also providing vaccinations are county health departments. There were specific county health departments were set up a couple in each one of the regions. So we have some regional distribution of where the very, very limited amount of vaccine in the very beginning could be made available, but we knew that there would be growing numbers of vaccine coming to the state. And to make sure that we were prepared for that, we started recruiting sites that would be larger, closer to well traveled highways closer to our population centers. That could begin providing a vaccine in greater numbers. So we we started vaccinating January the fourth 2021 in our drive throughs, and we began that transition to many of the sites that we have Now. You know, we operate 19 sites around the state as state operated sites, and I’ll just share a quick graphic to to show where those sites are. Case you can. You all see that? So this is the 19 sites of where we’re located, two in each of the public health districts, and there are three in the central part of the state. In addition, we have some county partners, local county governments, mercy managers in some cases, hospital school nursing programs from some of the colleges, a lot of people part of this process, and these teams bringing vaccination to different parts in the drive thru settings. So these are county sites that are serviced through state appointments. Uh, Oklahoma County, Um, and at their calcium started last week. Bolivar County started the week before. Warren County has been with us for a while. Sharkey is the quinoa started last week at the old armory. Lawrence County has been with us for a little while and starting next week or two weeks, I’m sorry, Liz, Claiborne County and Alcorn University will be their nursing program. Will be supporting that as you notice where a lot of the county locations we’ve tried to emphasize or in the Mississippi Delta. So as we again try to work to make sure to address the health equity issues, we want to make sure vaccines available as much as possible in these particular areas. Let me stop the share for a minute and lives. That’s kind of a short update on where we’ve come from testing and vaccination. Mhm

COVID-19 vaccine: Where to get the shot and who is eligible in Mississippi

When will I be able to get vaccinated for COVID-19?Mississippi is working to administer the COVID-19 vaccine as quickly as possible. The state is now offering the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which is also known as the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. Who is eligible?Any Mississippi resident who is 50 or older is eligible to get the vaccine. Other eligible groups include:Teachers, staff and employees in K-12, preschool or childcare settings. (For appointments on or after March 1st)Public safety personnel: Law enforcement, public safety, fire services and emergency management officials. Anyone 16 to 49 years old with a chronic health condition that may put them at higher risk from COVID-19. (18 or older at drive-through sites.) Tap here for additional details about who is eligible. To sign up for an appointment, go to covidvaccine.umc.edu or call 877-978-6453. The state has been receiving a steady flow of vaccine doses, state health officials said. Inoculations are being done at hospitals, community health centers, private clinics and at state-run drive-thru locations throughout the state. You can find more information about vaccination sites on the Mississippi State Department of Health’s website. Vaccinations will also be administered through the federal pharmacy program, which includes more than 30 Walmart pharmacies across Mississippi. Latest COVID-19 Cases, Deaths in Mississippi:The Mississippi State Department of Health has reported 203 new COVID-19 cases and five additional deaths.There have been 300,780 COVID-19 cases and 6,901 coronavirus-related deaths in Mississippi since March 2020.COVID-19 Headlines: Week of Mar. 8, 2021New guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can safely visit with other vaccinated people and small groups of unvaccinated people in some circumstances, but there are still important safety precautions needed.Senators approved the nearly $2 trillion stimulus package on a 50-49 party-line vote. That sets up final congressional approval by the House so lawmakers can whisk it to President Joe Biden for his signature. Biden said Saturday that the plan means $1,400 checks to individuals would be sent out this month.As more jurisdictions join Mississippi, Texas and other states in lifting mask mandates and easing restrictions on businesses, many essential workers are relieved by changes that might help the economy but also concerned they could make them less safe amid a pandemic that health experts warn is far from over. What are the symptoms of COVID-19?Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these are the symptoms you should watch out for:Fever or chillsCoughShortness of breath or difficulty breathingFatigueMuscle or body achesHeadacheNew loss of taste or smellSore throatCongestion or runny noseNausea or vomitingDiarrheaThis list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as they learn more about the virus.Should I get tested for COVID-19? Where can I get a test in Mississippi?The CDC recommends that you should consider taking a COVID-19 test if you:have symptoms of COVID-19.have had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.have been asked or referred to get testing by their healthcare provider, local/external icon or state ​health department.Tap here to find free COVID-19 testing near you.The FDA has also approved a test for COVID-19 that you can take at home. The test kits are available for purchase on Amazon with a turnaround time for results of 24 to 72 hours after the sample is shipped and received.Emergency care for COVID-19 symptomsThe CDC says to look for emergency warning signs for coronavirus. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:Trouble breathingPersistent pain or pressure in the chestNew confusionInability to wake or stay awakeBluish lips or faceThis list is not all possible symptoms. Call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.Who is most at risk for coronavirus?Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms of COVID-19, according to the CDC.Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from the virus.Flu or COVID-19. What’s the difference between them?Because some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, it may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. That’s when testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis.There are some key differences between the flu and COVID-19. The CDC says it seems COVID-19 spreads more easily than the flu and causes more serious illnesses in some people. It can also take longer before people show symptoms of COVID-19 and people can be contagious for a longer period of time than the flu.Another difference is there is a vaccine to protect against the flu. There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus.

JACKSON, Miss. —

When will I be able to get vaccinated for COVID-19?

Mississippi is working to administer the COVID-19 vaccine as quickly as possible. The state is now offering the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which is also known as the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.

Who is eligible?

Any Mississippi resident who is 50 or older is eligible to get the vaccine.

Other eligible groups include:

Teachers, staff and employees in K-12, preschool or childcare settings. (For appointments on or after March 1st)

Public safety personnel: Law enforcement, public safety, fire services and emergency management officials.

Anyone 16 to 49 years old with a chronic health condition that may put them at higher risk from COVID-19. (18 or older at drive-through sites.)

Tap here for additional details about who is eligible.

To sign up for an appointment, go to covidvaccine.umc.edu or call 877-978-6453.

The state has been receiving a steady flow of vaccine doses, state health officials said. Inoculations are being done at hospitals, community health centers, private clinics and at state-run drive-thru locations throughout the state. You can find more information about vaccination sites on the Mississippi State Department of Health’s website.

Vaccinations will also be administered through the federal pharmacy program, which includes more than 30 Walmart pharmacies across Mississippi.

Latest COVID-19 Cases, Deaths in Mississippi:

The Mississippi State Department of Health has reported 203 new COVID-19 cases and five additional deaths.

There have been 300,780 COVID-19 cases and 6,901 coronavirus-related deaths in Mississippi since March 2020.

COVID-19 Headlines: Week of Mar. 8, 2021

New guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can safely visit with other vaccinated people and small groups of unvaccinated people in some circumstances, but there are still important safety precautions needed.

Senators approved the nearly $2 trillion stimulus package on a 50-49 party-line vote. That sets up final congressional approval by the House so lawmakers can whisk it to President Joe Biden for his signature. Biden said Saturday that the plan means $1,400 checks to individuals would be sent out this month.

As more jurisdictions join Mississippi, Texas and other states in lifting mask mandates and easing restrictions on businesses, many essential workers are relieved by changes that might help the economy but also concerned they could make them less safe amid a pandemic that health experts warn is far from over.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these are the symptoms you should watch out for:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as they learn more about the virus.

Should I get tested for COVID-19? Where can I get a test in Mississippi?

The CDC recommends that you should consider taking a COVID-19 test if you:

  • have symptoms of COVID-19.
  • have had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.
  • have been asked or referred to get testing by their healthcare provider, local/external icon or state ​health department.

Tap here to find free COVID-19 testing near you.

The FDA has also approved a test for COVID-19 that you can take at home. The test kits are available for purchase on Amazon with a turnaround time for results of 24 to 72 hours after the sample is shipped and received.

Emergency care for COVID-19 symptoms

The CDC says to look for emergency warning signs for coronavirus. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Bluish lips or face

This list is not all possible symptoms. Call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.

Who is most at risk for coronavirus?

Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms of COVID-19, according to the CDC.

Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from the virus.

Flu or COVID-19. What’s the difference between them?

Because some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, it may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. That’s when testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis.

There are some key differences between the flu and COVID-19. The CDC says it seems COVID-19 spreads more easily than the flu and causes more serious illnesses in some people. It can also take longer before people show symptoms of COVID-19 and people can be contagious for a longer period of time than the flu.

Another difference is there is a vaccine to protect against the flu. There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus.

Read original article here

Business

Biden will call for all adult Americans to be eligible for the COVID vaccine by May 1

Leave a comment

WASHINGTON — One year after the nation was brought to a near-standstill by the coronavirus, President Joe Biden is outlining his plan Thursday to get the country “closer to normal” by the Fourth of July, using his first prime-time address to to offer Americans fresh hope and appeal for their help to meet his timetable.

Speaking in the White House East Room, Biden will announce moves to speed vaccinations, including directing that all states make all adults eligible for doses by May 1. Previewing his remarks, senior administration officials said Biden would also announce steps to expand the number of places and categories of people who can give shots, aiming to let Americans gather at least in small groups for the Independence Day holiday.

Biden is marking one year since the onset of the pandemic that has killed more than 530,000 Americans and disrupted the lives of countless more.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity to preview Biden’s remarks, officials said Biden would announce that he is deploying an additional 4,000 active-duty troops to support vaccination efforts and will allow more people — such as medical students, veterinarians and dentists — to deliver shots. He is also directing more doses toward some 950 community health centers and up to 20,000 retail pharmacies, to make it easier for people to get vaccinated.

Biden will require states and territories to make all adults eligible for vaccination by May 1, as the country expects to have enough supply to be able to fully vaccinate adults by the end of that month.

But even as he offers optimism, the officials said Biden would make clear that the July 4 timetable requires cooperation from Americans to continue to wear face coverings, maintain social distancing and follow federal guidelines meant to slow the spread of the virus in the near term.

The speech comes hours after Biden on Thursday signed into law a $1.9 trillion relief package that he said will help the U.S. defeat the virus and nurse the economy back to health. Some direct checks to Americans could begin arriving this weekend.

“This historic legislation is about rebuilding the backbone of this country,” Biden said as he signed the bill in the Oval Office.

Most noticeable to many Americans are provisions providing up to $1,400 in direct payments, some of which could begin landing in bank accounts this weekend, and extending $300 weekly emergency unemployment benefits into early September. Also included are expanded tax credits over the next year for children, child care and family leave — some of them credits that Democrats have signaled they’d like to make permanent — plus spending for renters, feeding programs and people’s utility bills.

The House gave final congressional approval to the sweeping package by a near party line 220-211 vote on Wednesday, seven weeks after Biden entered the White House and four days after the Senate passed the bill. Republicans in both chambers opposed the legislation unanimously, characterizing it as bloated, crammed with liberal policies and heedless of signs the crises are easing.

Biden originally planned to sign the bill on Friday, but it arrived at the White House more quickly than anticipated.

“We want to move as fast as possible,” tweeted White House chief of staff Ron Klain.

Previewing his Thursday night remarks, Biden said he would “talk about what we’ve been through as a nation this past year, but more importantly, I’m going to talk about what comes next.”

Biden’s challenge is to honor the sacrifices made by Americans while encouraging them to remain vigilant despite “virus fatigue” and growing impatience to resume normal activities given the tantalizing promise of vaccines. Speaking on the one-year anniversary of the World Health Organization’s declaration of a pandemic, he’ll mourn the dead, but also project optimism about the future.

“This is a chance for him to really beam into everybody’s living rooms and to be both the mourner in chief and to explain how he’s leading the country out of this,” said presidential historian and Rice University professor Douglas Brinkley.

“This is a big moment,” Brinkley added. “He’s got to win over hearts and minds for people to stay masked and get vaccinated, but also recognize that after the last year, the federal government hasn’t forgotten you.”

Biden’s evening remarks in the East Room are central to a pivotal week for the president as he addresses the defining challenge of his term: shepherding the nation through the twin public health and economic storms brought about by the virus.

On Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released initial guidance for how vaccinated people can resume some normal activities. On Wednesday, Congress approved the president’s $1.9 trillion “American Rescue Plan,” aimed at easing the economic impact of the virus on tens of millions of people. And the nation was on pace to administer its 100 millionth dose of vaccine as soon as Thursday.

Almost exactly one year ago, President Donald Trump addressed the nation to mark the WHO’s declaration of a global pandemic. He announced travel restrictions and called for Americans to practice good hygiene but displayed little alarm about the forthcoming catastrophe. Trump, it was later revealed, acknowledged that he had been deliberately “playing down” the threat of the virus.

For Biden, who has promised to level with the American public after the alternate reality of Trump’s virus talk, the imperative is to strike the correct balance “between optimism and grief,” said Princeton history professor and presidential scholar Julian Zelizer.

“Generally, the country likes optimism, and at this particular moment they’re desperate for optimism, but you can’t risk a ‘Mission Accomplished’ moment,’” he said, warning against any premature declaration that the threat has been vanquished.

Fifty days into his presidency, Biden is experiencing a polling honeymoon that his predecessor never enjoyed.

According to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research released last week, 70% of Americans back the Democratic president’s handling of the virus response, including 44% of Republicans.

The White House hopes that as Biden assumes the role of cheerleader for the virus relief package, the elements of the $1.9 trillion bill that are popular with Republicans will boost his support even further.

–The Associated Press

Read original article here

Entertainment

‘RHOBH’ star Erika Jayne’s husband diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, no longer eligible California lawyer

Leave a comment

Erika Jayne’s husband Thomas Girardi has been diagnosed with late onset Alzheimer’s disease amid the couple’s divorce and a host of lawsuits currently against him.

In addition to being married to the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star, Girardi, 81, is a well-known attorney in California. Although online records viewed by Fox News show he is currently “not eligible to practice law” in the state, as of Tuesday, March 9.

A declaration filed by Girardi’s physician on Wednesday in his ongoing conservatorship case states that the reality TV star’s estranged husband currently “suffers Alzheimer’s disease with late onset” in addition to dementia.

WHO IS ERIKA JAYNE’S ESTRANGED HUSBAND TOM GIRARDI?

Tom Girardi (right), estranged husband of ‘Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ star Erika Jayne (left), suffers from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, his physician said.
(YouTube/Bravo)

The doctor notes that Girardi is unable to attend court hearings in his legal matters because his “dementia impairs his ability to understand the hearing.”

Girardi also is suffering from “emotional distress,” the doctor notes, which is “directly related to his dementia and exacerbated by his confusion.”

In February, a judge named Girardi’s brother, Robert Girardi, his conservatorship following claims he was suffering from memory loss.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

News of Tom’s conservatorship comes amid his mounting lawsuits and divorce from the reality star. Jayne, who also is a singer and Broadway performer, announced her divorce in November. 

Thomas Girardi is in the midst of a divorce from singer and ‘Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ star Erika Jayne.
(John Tsiavis/Bravo)

“After much consideration, I have decided to end my marriage to Tom Girardi,” she confirmed to Fox News at the time.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The couple has been married for 21 years. In her petition for divorce, Jayne requested that her husband cover her legal fees and provide spousal support. Girardi reportedly has asked the court to deny the reality TV star’s request.

Read original article here

Health

All Alaskans age 16 and older now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine

Leave a comment

Alaska on Tuesday broadened an already long list of people eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine to include anyone 16 and older who lives or works in the state.

The change makes Alaska the first U.S. state to remove eligibility requirements for the COVID-19 vaccine, state officials said Tuesday.

Officials announced the milestone almost a year after Alaska marked its first case of the virus that was tied to the deaths of more than 300 Alaskans, left others with lasting health complications and wreaked havoc on the economy statewide.

“Soon, this virus will be a preventable disease if people choose to get vaccinated,” the state’s chief medical officer, Dr. Anne Zink, said during a briefing Tuesday.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy — who tested positive for the virus and experienced mild symptoms last month — said the illness was both isolating and an inconvenience, which is why he will be getting a vaccine. He said the broadened vaccine eligibility puts Alaska on a path toward herd immunity.

“I think we’ll get enough Alaskans that want to be part of this process that we’re going to put this behind us as quickly as possible,” Dunleavy said during the briefing.

Alaska has so far vaccinated a higher percentage of its population that any other state. By Tuesday, a quarter of its total population was at least partially vaccinated, compared to a national average of about 18%.

Regarding a question about how much vaccine supply the state would have going forward, Zink said it’s hard to know. There have been major vaccine production increases recently. Between the state’s allocation, an Indian Health Service allocation and others, Alaska could have “potentially well over 100,000” doses next month, she said.

The expansion of vaccine eligibility comes just a week after the state opened vaccines up to anyone 16 and older who has a condition that puts them at risk for severe illness from COVID-19 or who works in an essential job (which is defined broadly), as well as all Alaskans over age 55. Educators, health care workers, seniors and others in the state were already eligible under previous guidelines.

Several tribal health organizations using a separate allocation of doses through the Indian Health Service were already vaccinating people ages 16 and older in many communities across the state.

Dunleavy said the open eligibility will give people who were considering getting the vaccine an opportunity to do so.

“There’s a group of Alaskans that have already gotten the vaccine. That’s great,” Dunleavy said. “There’s a group of Alaskans that won’t get the vaccine and don’t want it. I respect that.”

The expansion of eligibility went into effect immediately Tuesday night, according to a statement from the governor’s office. Zink said a statewide vaccine hotline for questions and help would be staffed later than usual Tuesday night, until 8 p.m.

“We know we don’t have enough vaccine in the state of Alaska to do everyone tonight,” Zink said. “But even if you’re thinking about it, let them know and they can help connect you to appointments.”

To sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine, Alaskans can visit covidvax.alaska.gov or call 907-646-3322 for help signing up. Additionally, anchoragecovidvaccine.org will show some of the vaccine appointments currently open statewide.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Read original article here

World

State announces all K-12 educators, staff now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine

Leave a comment

The state has announced plans to ensure all K-12 educators, early childhood (EC) professionals and staff will be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines starting Monday, March 8. Following the guidelines that came out of the White House last week the state will offer first shots to these groups over a three-week period. Week 1 (beginning March 8): Educators and EC professionals outside the Albuquerque metro areaWeek 2 (beginning March 15): Educators and EC professionals within the Albuquerque metro area, likely at a mass vaccination siteWeek 3 (beginning March 22): Educators and EC professionals who register for vaccine in the interim or who have not yet been vaccinated“The state has already vaccinated approximately 15,000 educators, and we are eager to continue our nation-leading distribution effort,” said DOH Secretary Dr. Tracie Collins. “The state will also continue to vaccinate phase 1A, 75+, and New Mexicans with health conditions.”Related Video: Biden prioritizes teacher vaccines

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —

The state has announced plans to ensure all K-12 educators, early childhood (EC) professionals and staff will be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines starting Monday, March 8.

Following the guidelines that came out of the White House last week the state will offer first shots to these groups over a three-week period.

Week 1 (beginning March 8): Educators and EC professionals outside the Albuquerque metro area

Week 2 (beginning March 15): Educators and EC professionals within the Albuquerque metro area, likely at a mass vaccination site

Week 3 (beginning March 22): Educators and EC professionals who register for vaccine in the interim or who have not yet been vaccinated

“The state has already vaccinated approximately 15,000 educators, and we are eager to continue our nation-leading distribution effort,” said DOH Secretary Dr. Tracie Collins. “The state will also continue to vaccinate phase 1A, 75+, and New Mexicans with health conditions.”

Related Video: Biden prioritizes teacher vaccines

Read original article here

Health

Thousands of additional Iowans now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine

Leave a comment

Thousands of additional Iowans now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine



ALXY: RIGHT NOW IN IOWA, THOUSANDS MORE PEOPLE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE COVID-19 SHOT. THE STATE STARTS ITS NEXT PHASE OF VACCINATIONS TODAY. BUT AS KCCI’S BEAU BOWMAN TELLS US NOT ALL COUNTIES SAY THEY’RE READY. BEAU: THAT IS RIGHT, AND POLK COUNTY IS ONE OF THEM. ELIGIBILITY IS NO LONGER GOING TO BE THE ISSUE AS IOWANS UNDER 64 YEARS OLD WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS CAN NOW GET THE SHOT, THE ISSUE NOW WILL BE SUPPLIED. LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS WERE SAYING IT COULD BE WEEKS OR MONTHS BEFORE THEY CAN BE GIVING TO THE GROUP THAT BECOME ELIGIBLE TODAY THE POLK COUNTY . HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS IT WILL NOT BE OPENING UP ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY, BECAUSE IT STILL HAS A LOT OF PEOPLE IN PREVIOUS TIERS THAT NEED TO BE VACCINATED. >> WE STILL HAVE A POPULATION WHERE DEMAND IS MUCH GREAT THAN SUPPLY, SO WE FEEL LIKE IT’S VERY VITAL TO STAY IN THE TIERS THAT WE ARE AND MAKE SURE THOSE INDIVIDUALS ARE AT LEAST GETTING ONE DOSE BEAU: HYVEE SAYS IT WILL OFFER THEIR VACCINES TO PEOPLE IN POLK COUNTY WITH UNDERLYING CONDITIONS THE COMPANY WAS GRANTED PERMISSION TO VACCINATED THE NEWEST ELIGIBLE GROUP BECAUSE IT RECEIVES ITS VACCINE SUPPLY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND NOT THE COUNTY. LIVE IN ANKNEY, BEAU BOWMAN, KCCI 8 NEWS, IOWA’S NEWS LEADER. ALXY: IOWA’S 211 CALL CENTER IS EXPANDING ITS SERVICES, TO HELP MANAGE THE SURGE OF PEOPLE LOOKING FOR A VACCINE APPOINTMENT. STARTING TODAY, THE 211 WILL HAVE A NEW PROMPT, ASKING IF Y IF YOU NEED HELP WITH VACCINE SCHEDULING. THE SERVICE IS MEANT FOR PEOPLE 65 AND OLDER WHO DO NOT HAVE INTERNET ACCESS OR THE TECHNICAL SKILLS TO SCHEDULE THEIR OWN APPOINTMENT ONLINE NEARLY 900,000 DOSES OF THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED IN IOWA SO FAR. 332,000 PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN THEIR FIRST SHOT, AND ARE WAITING ON THEIR SECOND. 280,000 ARE FULLY VACCINATED

Thousands of additional Iowans now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine

Thousands more Iowans are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. The state starts its next phase of vaccinations Monday, but not all counties say they’re ready.Polk County is one of them. Eligibility is no longer going to be the issue as Iowans under 64 years old with pre-existing conditions can now get the shot, but vaccine supply is limited.Local health departments were running short of vaccines before Gov. Kim Reynolds announced this move into the next phase of the rollout.Some local health departments say it could be weeks or even months before they can start giving vaccines to the group that becomes eligible today. Nola Ainger Davis, with the Polk County Health Department, says it will not be opening up additional eligibility, because it still has many people in previous tiers that need to be vaccinated.”We still have a population where demand is much greater than supply, so we feel like it’s very vital to stay in the tiers that we are and make sure those individuals are at least getting one dose.” Ainger Davis said.Hy-Vee says it will offer their vaccines to people in Polk County with underlying conditions. The company was granted permission to vaccinate the newest eligible group because it receives its vaccine supply from the federal government and not the county.Find out how you can get vaccinated in Iowa here.

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Thousands more Iowans are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. The state starts its next phase of vaccinations Monday, but not all counties say they’re ready.

Polk County is one of them. Eligibility is no longer going to be the issue as Iowans under 64 years old with pre-existing conditions can now get the shot, but vaccine supply is limited.

Local health departments were running short of vaccines before Gov. Kim Reynolds announced this move into the next phase of the rollout.

Some local health departments say it could be weeks or even months before they can start giving vaccines to the group that becomes eligible today.

Nola Ainger Davis, with the Polk County Health Department, says it will not be opening up additional eligibility, because it still has many people in previous tiers that need to be vaccinated.

“We still have a population where demand is much greater than supply, so we feel like it’s very vital to stay in the tiers that we are and make sure those individuals are at least getting one dose.” Ainger Davis said.

Hy-Vee says it will offer their vaccines to people in Polk County with underlying conditions. The company was granted permission to vaccinate the newest eligible group because it receives its vaccine supply from the federal government and not the county.

Find out how you can get vaccinated in Iowa here.

Read original article here

Health

Chicagoans in Phase 1B-Plus of State Vaccine Plan Now Eligible for Appointments at United Center – NBC Chicago

Leave a comment

On Sunday afternoon, eligibility for appointments at the mass COVID vaccination site at the United Center opened up to all Chicago residents who are 18 years of age or older and who have pre-existing health conditions.

In a significant change, appointments via Zocdoc will only be available to residents who live in the city of Chicago. According to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office, the change was made at the request of the Federal Emergency Management Association to better ensure that vaccine appointments would be available to “vulnerable populations” in the city itself.

Anyone age 18 and over with underlying medical conditions, including cancer, diabetes, obesity and other comorbidities, is eligible to sign up for appointments.

For residents in suburban Cook County hoping to sign up for vaccine appointments at the United Center, slots will be allocated through Cook County’s COVID vaccine website beginning later this week. The process to apply for those appointments will be announced in the coming days, according to officials.

Individuals who can’t access the website can call 833-308-1988 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to officials.

Some of the remaining doses from the United Center mass vaccination site will also be given to mobile vaccination teams, and will be made available in areas hardest hit by the pandemic, according to officials. More details on those sites will be made available in the coming weeks.



Read original article here

US

Texas teachers, child care workers now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine

Leave a comment

Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.

Texas teachers are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccines, health officials announced Wednesday.

Effective immediately, all Texas vaccine providers should include all school staff, Head Start program staff and child care staff in their vaccine administration programs, according to a notice the Texas Department of State Health Services sent to providers.

The notice comes after the Biden administration urged all states Tuesday to prioritize vaccinating teachers and school staff. Texas had not previously prioritized teachers. Texas received a letter from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday night directing it to expand eligibility, according to a DSHS news release.

Those eligible are “those who work in pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools, as well as Head Start and Early Head Start programs (including teachers, staff, and bus drivers) and those who work as or for licensed child care providers, including center-based and family care providers,” according to the federal directive.

State health officials said earlier this week that they expected to finish vaccinating older and most vulnerable Texans in the next few weeks and broaden eligibility to include more Texans by the end of the month.

That new group was expected to include teachers before Wednesday’s announcement, but officials have not said who else would be in that new “1C” group.

The 1A and 1B priority groups, which health officials have said comprise more than 8 million people, included front-line health care workers, people 65 and older, and those 16 or older with medical vulnerabilities.

The early inclusion of teachers comes as vaccine supplies ramp up and 2 million people, or 6.8% of Texas’ population, have been fully vaccinated with both doses of the two-shot regimens.

Administration of the newly approved Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which requires only one dose, began in Texas this week, officials said.

As of March 1, 5.7 million doses had been administered, with providers across the state administering an average of 123,469 vaccine doses each day in the last week. None of the vaccines are approved for children under age 16, who make up about 23% of the population.

Supply of the vaccine still falls far short of both the demand and the number of people eligible to get it.

The decision also comes the day after Gov. Greg Abbott announced he would allow all businesses to reopen and rescinded a longstanding mask mandate. Many school officials were unprepared for Abbott’s decision. Masks are still required in Texas public schools unless local school boards decide to make them optional, the Texas Education Agency announced Wednesday.

Educators and advocates have been begging the state to include teachers as it rolled out its vaccination program this winter and spring. After Abbott’s announcement Tuesday, several educator groups chastised him for removing the mask requirement without prioritizing teachers for vaccines.

“Abbott has shirked his responsibility to stick with medical advice and clarify what needs to happen to keep our schools safe. Every top health official has stressed that even with vaccinations we need to keep using the most simple tools to stop the spread,” said Zeph Capo, president of the Texas American Federation of Teachers, in a statement Tuesday.

In response to Biden’s proclamation, CVS Pharmacy had already made appointments available to educators, school staff and child care workers in Texas and other states where it offers vaccines.

CVS is part of the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, a collaboration between the federal government, states and pharmacies across the country.

Karen Brooks Harper contributed to this report.

Disclosure: Texas AFT has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

Read original article here

US

PA TEACHERS will be eligible for Johnson & Johnson vaccine, governor says

Leave a comment

Pennsylvania teachers will get the COVID-19 vaccine sooner than expected.Gov. Tom Wolf and members of the state’s COVID-19 vaccine task force confirmed the development Tuesday afternoon. An official announcement is expected Wednesday.The decision is an effort to ensure teachers and students can be in classrooms full-time for the remainder of the school year and follows the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.“We have an unusual opportunity with that because it’s a one-dose vaccine,” Wolf said. “There’s some really important front-line workers who I think – and I think the task force believes on a bipartisan basis – should be included in that.”Teachers have been in the second tier of the state’s vaccine rollout, but the task force met Sunday and voted in favor of vaccinating teachers sooner.“We thought this would have the most significant impact on our community,” said Sen. Ryan Aument (R-Lancaster County), who is a member of the task force.Aument said the state’s initial allotment of 94,000 doses of the J&J vaccine, also known as the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, will be designated for teachers.Teachers will be able to sign up and receive the shot in locations that are separate from where people in Phase 1A are getting vaccinated.“Our seniors and folks in 1A are going to continue to be prioritized appropriately for the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, which are being distributed through our provider network. Those doses that the state is receiving and allocating across the commonwealth, that continues to increase,” Aument said.Previous storyPennsylvania teachers will soon be moving into Phase 1A of the vaccine plan, according to a member of the state’s COVID-19 vaccine task force.In an email to House Republicans, Rep. Tim O’Neal (R-Washington County) said, “Within the next couple of days, the Governor will announce that teachers (pre-k – 12, both public and private) will move into 1A.”During a news conference Tuesday morning, a Department of Health senior advisor would not confirm the move.O’Neal wrote that the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the National Guard will run clinics for teachers this month.According to O’Neal, the state Department of Education will also be issuing instructional guidance for schools that aligns more closely with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Pennsylvania teachers will get the COVID-19 vaccine sooner than expected.

Gov. Tom Wolf and members of the state’s COVID-19 vaccine task force confirmed the development Tuesday afternoon. An official announcement is expected Wednesday.

The decision is an effort to ensure teachers and students can be in classrooms full-time for the remainder of the school year and follows the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

“We have an unusual opportunity with that because it’s a one-dose vaccine,” Wolf said. “There’s some really important front-line workers who I think – and I think the task force believes on a bipartisan basis – should be included in that.”

Teachers have been in the second tier of the state’s vaccine rollout, but the task force met Sunday and voted in favor of vaccinating teachers sooner.

“We thought this would have the most significant impact on our community,” said Sen. Ryan Aument (R-Lancaster County), who is a member of the task force.

Aument said the state’s initial allotment of 94,000 doses of the J&J vaccine, also known as the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, will be designated for teachers.

Teachers will be able to sign up and receive the shot in locations that are separate from where people in Phase 1A are getting vaccinated.

“Our seniors and folks in 1A are going to continue to be prioritized appropriately for the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, which are being distributed through our provider network. Those doses that the state is receiving and allocating across the commonwealth, that continues to increase,” Aument said.

Previous story

Pennsylvania teachers will soon be moving into Phase 1A of the vaccine plan, according to a member of the state’s COVID-19 vaccine task force.

In an email to House Republicans, Rep. Tim O’Neal (R-Washington County) said, “Within the next couple of days, the Governor will announce that teachers (pre-k – 12, both public and private) will move into 1A.”

During a news conference Tuesday morning, a Department of Health senior advisor would not confirm the move.

O’Neal wrote that the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the National Guard will run clinics for teachers this month.

According to O’Neal, the state Department of Education will also be issuing instructional guidance for schools that aligns more closely with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Read original article here

Health

Now Hoosiers 55 and up are eligible to be vaccinated for COVID-19

Leave a comment

CLOSE

Walmart and the Indianapolis Urban League partner to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to those who need them most in Indianapolis on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021.

Indianapolis Star

Leer en español

As additional doses of vaccine become available, Indiana is opening up eligibility for shots at a faster pace.

Tuesday state health officials announced that people ages 55 to 59 can now make vaccination appointments at the nearly 400 vaccination clinics across the state. People can make appointments online at ourshot.in.gov or by calling 211.

Last Tuesday, the state extended an invitation to those 60 and older to be vaccinated, more than three weeks after offering people age 65 to 69 that opportunity.

Bad weather, which caused the cancellation of vaccine clinics, and delayed shipments prevented Indiana from moving on to the 60-to-64-year-old group as soon as they might have, state health officials have said.

Also: IMS to host COVID-19 vaccine clinic for eligible Hoosiers

Eligibility: COVID-19 vaccine available to some Indiana veterans as young as 18

But with a slew of vaccine sites to choose from, state health officials are trying to persuade as many people as possible to sign up to get vaccinated. Last week, the Indiana Department of Health held 10 mobile clinics to reach those in underserved areas.

Sunday’s approval of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which requires only one dose and does not need to be refrigerated only increased further the possibility that states might extend eligibility to broader pools of people.

People on dialysis, who have had organ transplants, have certain cancers, sickle cell anemia and Down syndrome are also eligible to be vaccinated.

In a sign that sites expect more vaccine to be flowing, Veteran Health Indiana will now vaccinate any veteran over the age of 18.

In an effort to have more vaccine available for Hoosiers, last week the state restricted vaccinations to Indiana residents. About 17,000 out-of-state residents, who mostly work in Indiana, had received vaccine.

New vaccine: What approval of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine could mean

Some have reported difficulty scheduling appointments in the first few hours after a new group becomes eligible. However, the day after appointments opened to those 60 to 64, nearly 40% of Indiana residents in that age range had either been vaccinated or made appointments to do so. As of last week, 63% of those age 65 to 69 and 70% of people ages 70 to 79 had had a vaccine appointment or were scheduled for one.

On Monday, the state passed the one million mark for first doses of vaccine.

Clinic at Indianapolis Motor Speedway 

The Indiana Department of Health will host three mass immunization clinics for eligible Indiana residents across the state starting this week, including one at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The IMS clinic, to be held this week, will be followed by one next week at Ivy Tech Community College in Sellersburg and then one towards the end of the month at the University of Notre Dame.

All three clinics will deliver the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which was approved for emergency use over the weekend, state health officials said in a press release.

Unlike the two previously approved vaccines, which require two doses, the J&J vaccine consists of just one shot.

However, studies suggest that it does not perform quite as well as the two other vaccines. The J&J vaccine is about 72% effective against COVID-19 while the other two are more than 94% effective.

That’s still higher than flu vaccines, according to Marion County health officials, which they have said are about 60% effective.

Appointments will be required for the mass clinics.

The IMS clinic will run from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Participants will enter through the main gate off 16th St. at 4790 W. 16th St. and stay in their cars.

The Sellersburg clinic will run March 12 to 13 and the Notre Dame one, to be held at the university’s Compton Family Ice Arena, will be held March 26 to 27.

An additional clinic may be held in Gary in the future, state health officials say.

Veterans 18 and over eligible

Veterans in the state 18 and older can sign up for the shot.

Last week, enrolled veterans 45 and older who receive care through the VA could sign up for the vaccine at the Indianapolis Veteran Affairs Medical Center, according to Veteran Health Indiana’s Facebook page.

At that time, the Indianapolis VA had vaccinated more than 15,000 veterans.

Monday, the VA opened eligibility for those 18 and over according to the Facebook page. Some designated caregivers also are eligible to receive vaccine, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Veterans who are already enrolled can call (317) 988-4899 to schedule an appointment. 

Those who are not enrolled or do not receive care through the VA learn more about eligibility at va.gov/health-care/eligibility/.

Contact IndyStar reporter Shari Rudavsky at shari.rudavsky@indystar.com. Follow her on Facebook and on Twitter: @srudavsky.

Read or Share this story: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/health/2021/03/02/now-hoosiers-55-and-up-eligible-vaccinated-covid-19/6878258002/



Read original article here

The Ultimate News Site