The first goal is to focus on the safety of the vaccine and determining how effective it is. Before any vaccine is released, it must first complete three phases of clinical trials to study its effect on thousands of diverse study participants. Once that study is done, the pharmaceutical company submits the results for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. FDA. This is a way to make important health breakthroughs available to the public quickly.

The vaccine is then reviewed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). ACIP is a federal advisory committee of medical and public health experts who develop recommendations on the use of vaccines in the U.S. public.

The next step before the vaccine is available is for the Indiana Department of Health’s Vaccine Allocation Plan Development Advisory Group to make final recommendations on the ethical and equitable allocation of a limited COVID-19 vaccine.

Vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna are now available. Some groups will be recommended to get a COVID-19 vaccine first. We have set up a phased-in approach to determine who is eligible for vaccine first based on the most effective way to reduce the impact of COVID-19. This first round of vaccine will go to long-term care center staff and healthcare personnel who in their line of may be exposed to COVID-19 patients or infectious material. The Pfizer vaccine will not initially be available for children under age 16 or younger than age 18 for Moderna. Early clinical trials of the vaccine show no adverse effects for pregnant women, but if you’re pregnant, you should have a conversation with a healthcare provider to see if it’s right for you.

Already received the vaccine? Make sure you’re on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s v-safe after vaccination health checker.

Vaccine providers can bill a patient’s insurance for a fee to administer the vaccine, but will not be able to charge the patient. Providers can seek reimbursement for uninsured patients from the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Provider Relief Fund.

1. The vaccine is in limited supply at first and won’t be widely available until next year. Until there is enough vaccine for everyone, it’s crucial for you to continue to take these steps that we can do now to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

   • Wear a mask to protect yourself and others

   • Stay at least 6 feet apart (about 2 arm lengths)

   • Practice good hand hygiene by washing with soap and water or using hand sanitizer

   • Isolate yourself if you’re sick and stay home if you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19

   • Clean frequently touched surfaces often