Hoosiers Likely Face Longer Waits For COVID-19 Vaccine When Eligibility Opens To All

Many Hoosiers should expect long waits to get a COVID-19 vaccine when they become eligible to schedule appointments next week.

The governor announced all Hoosiers age 16 and older can schedule appointments beginning March 31.

But while the amount of vaccine doses Indiana will get next week is expected to increase by about 38 percent, there will be about 420 percent more Hoosiers eligible to get their shot.

State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box acknowledged the crunch that will create.

“Will our wait times, as far as will it take – rather than one week or two weeks or three weeks – maybe it would be six weeks?” Box said. “That is quite possible.”

READ MORE: How Will Indiana Distribute COVID-19 Vaccines? Here’s What You Need To Know

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Box said the federal government has told Indiana to expect enough doses to vaccinate every Hoosier by May.

Officials Wednesday announced another mass vaccination site at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It will run for 16 days: April 1-3, April 13-18 and April 24-30.

Hoosiers currently eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine can schedule their appointments now by visiting OurShot.in.gov or by calling 211.

Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.