IF YOU PLAN TO OFFER VACCINATIONS: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires physicians and others who plan to offer COVID-19 vaccinations to register, even if they are already registered to provide other vaccines. To streamline the process, the Indiana Department of Health has created an online enrollment portal. Read more >>

The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH), formerly known as the Indiana State Department of Health, released an interim draft of Indiana’s COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Plan on Tuesday. The draft was created in collaboration with ISMA and other health care stakeholders for submission to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to its executive summary, the draft plan uses a phased approach designed to reduce the spread of the coronavirus through an “appropriate allocation and administration of COVID-19 vaccine to all Hoosiers in a safe, timely and effective manner.”

While a timeline has not been released, the vaccine will first be made available to health care workers, followed by people at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness, including those with underlying health conditions and those 65 and older. A vaccine would then go to residents of group living facilities and essential workers, such as those in public health, public safety, education, food service, etc., before finally making its way to the general population.

To assist IDOH in developing the plan, ISMA President-Elect J. Elizabeth Struble, MD, served on the Ethical Considerations Advisory Group, while Government Relations Director Grant Achenbach and Deputy Director of Policy Luke McNamee worked with IDOH Chief Medical Officer Lindsay Weaver, MD, and the Data Advisory Group. Other members of that group included representatives of the Indiana Hospital Association, Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, Regenstrief Institute, Indiana Management Performance Hub (MPH), IU Health and Ascension St. Vincent.

The COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Plan may be read in its entirety here. ISMA will provide additional updates, including plans for administration of a vaccine, as more information becomes available.

Other resources:
IDOH – FAQS: COVID-19 Vaccination Provider Agreement
CDC – 10 Things Health Care Professionals Need to Know about U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Plans