HOOSIERS 45 AND UP

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Our other big story tonight --- the quest for immunity.

The hoosier state is lowering the qualifying age --*upping the number of people able to get in line.

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And all of this comes just one day after all indiana teachers -- got the green light toign up -- at any state- sponsored clinic.

44news reporter valerie lyons is live tonight from evansville -- with a look at the growing pool of eligibility.

To date -- more than 2 million vaccine doses have been administered statewide -- and with eligibility opening to yet another group of hoosiers -- that number will only increase -- putting us on the fast track to immunity -- just one day after all indiana educators and other school personnel became eligible for the covid-19 vaccine -- those 45 and older can now also roll up their sleeves -- "it is a little fast, but that's good i think, because people are, we are moving fast with it, and that means everyone is getting the chance to get it, which is the ultimate goal i believe."

Making the vaccine available to more than 415 thousand additional hoosiers -- brian spencer: "it's exciting.

We're continuing to go through the stages very quickly."

A happy surprise for our local health leaders -- "indiana had told us last week that they were going to hold off on the 45 because of the announcement that teachers were now going to be able to vaccinate at any location not just the federal pharmacy program."

And with vaccine supply holding steady in the state -- brian spencer: "we are continually getting more and more pfizer funneled into the states, i know we are getting johnson and johnson.

Novavax is another vaccine which is going to be ion the forefront, probably going to be applying for the eua in the next several weeks or months."

They're confident -- they'll have enough doses for anyone who wants one -- brian spencer: "we're adding more vaccines, more more quantity of vaccines to our allotment so i don't have any concerns about how quickly we're moving through the phases."

Currently nearly 13 percent of hoosiers are fully immunized -- and with vaccinations picking up -- everyone can get their shot -- that much faster.

Kelsey murray: "it is definitely something that i am very excited for as well as for everyone, i think that's the next big step for our community, is to get vaccinated if you can."

Deaconess says they have available appointments at their downtown clinic for the next three days -- so anyone who is eligible -- including those 45 and up -- can sign up now -- in evansville -- vl44news.