As the federal government begins the process of authorizing more COVID-19 vaccine boosters, local healthcare organizations are making preparations to get those shots out to Hoosiers.

The US Food and Drug Administration has given authorization to boosters made by both Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech.

Suzanne Clem is Vice President of Community Engagement with Open Door Health Services in Muncie and Anderson.  She says the next step is approval by a vaccine panel with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“As long as that process goes smoothly, we expect to have it ‘in-hand’ within a couple of weeks.  We know folks are eager for that vaccine that will address the original novel coronavirus strain, but also the subvariants of omicron.”

The CDC advisory panel is scheduled to meet Thursday.

Meanwhile, the CDC community spread tracker lists several area counties at high risk of community level COVID spread right now.  Those listed in the red category are Delaware, Grant, Henry, Miami, and Randolph counties.

Clem says it’s important to follow CDC recommendations in these counties.

“Right now in ‘red,’ that does include masking indoors.  And I know we’re all a little bit tired of masks, but gosh, it is still really important.”

You can receive any of the COVID vaccines – and the latest booster once it’s fully approved – from your healthcare provider or at community clinics.

Open Door is hosting an afternoon vaccine clinic on the fourth Thursday of every month.  Ball State University will have a clinic open every Thursday in September.  Meridan Health Services gives vaccines at many of its locations, but an appointment is required.  To find other locations, you can go to ourshot.in.gov or call Indiana 211.

Clem says it is not “game over” in terms of the virus.  She gave  a COVID-19 update for east-central Indiana during Morning Edition on August 31.

You can hear the entire interview here:

Open Door and Ball State University are IPR underwriters.