With booster shots of COVID vaccine now available, and vaccine for those 5-11 years of age likely coming soon, the Fishers Health Department is already offering the booster and preparing for the under 12 years of age group.

You can make an appointment now to have your booster shot at this link.

Here is the Health Department’s guidance on eligibility for a booster:

Booster shots are now available for individuals who received their last dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months ago and who meet the following criteria:

• Age 18 and older who live in long-term care setting
• Age 18 and older who have underlying medical conditions
• Age 18 and older who work or live in high-risk settings
• Immunocompromised individuals are also encouraged to receive a third dose of Moderna or Pfizer at least 28 days after the completion of their second dose.
• If you are unsure if you meet the criteria for booster shots, please check with your physician.

Booster doses are also recommended for anyone 18 or older who got the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine two or more months ago.

Appointments for the booster vaccine are recommended, but the Fishers Mass Vaccination site, located in the old Marsh Grocery building near 116th Street and Brooks School Road, will take walk-ins.  You can only walk-in if you arrive 30 minutes before closing.  Here ae the latest hours for the Fishers site:

• Monday: CLOSED (starts 11/1)
• Tuesday: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Thursday: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Friday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Saturday: 9a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Sunday: CLOSED

Monica Heltz, Public Health Director for the City of Fishers, says no matter which vaccine you received initially (J&J, Pfizer or Moderna)  you can choose any of the three vaccines for your booster.

The Fishers Health Department staff is already gearing-up for the rollout of COVID vaccine for those 5 years of age through age 11.  Heltz anticipates final government approval for the Pizer vaccine for under 12 years of age to come in the first few days of November.

“We do know it’s going to be a different product, it’s a different formulation,” Heltz said.  “It’s still Pfizer…but it comes from a different vial.  We still have to receive those vials.”

In the initial allocation of this vaccine, Heltz has been told the federal government will allocate the first shipments of the vaccine to the states, so Indiana will determine how much vaccine the Fishers Health Department receives once the approval is final.  Eventually, Fishers should have whatever supply of the vaccine needed based on demand.

“There’s no real need to rush right in on the first day, we’ll get through everybody as quickly as we possibly can,” said Heltz.

Hetlz expects a booster shot outreach program with home-bound individuals & long-term care facilities visited earlier by the city staff.

As to plans for the 5-11 year old vaccine once it is approved., Heltz has reached out to the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools about partnering with them on vaccinations.  Heltz does not expect the schools to offer vaccinations during the school day, but there have been discussions about offering the vaccine at various school events.

You can find COVID vaccine FAQs at this link.