Fishers extends hours for COVID vaccine, boosters as ICU beds run short

John Tuohy, Indianapolis Star
·2 min read

Fishers is extending the hours of its COVID-19 vaccination site to encourage people to get shots and boosters as the omicron variant’s rapid spread stresses Hamilton County hospitals.

The clinic at 12520 E. 116th St., will be open from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday. Non-Fishers residents are welcomed.

“We are absolutely at a point — again — where we are asking residents and Hoosiers everywhere to take this situation seriously,” said Monica Heltz, public health director for Fishers Health Department, in a news release. “The number one way to protect yourself and loved ones is to complete your vaccination round and get boosted when eligible.”

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Intensive Care Unit bed availability across the state is at 12.2%, the lowest since the beginning of the pandemic. Just 7% of ICU beds are available in Central Indiana.

Though nearly 90% of Fishers adults are vaccinated, only 40% have received booster shots.

People who received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine two or more months ago should receive a Pfizer or Moderna booster vaccine and people who got the Pfizer or Moderna two-dose vaccination should receive their booster after six months.

Fishers also has free testing available at the Fishers Health Department, next to City Hall at the Municipal Complex on 116th Street.

Sign up for rapid COVID tests

People can sign up for rapid test or PCR tests here. School age children will be given priority for rapid tests. The city has plenty of PCR tests available but appointments for the rapid tests are booked, said city spokeswoman Ashley Elrod.

The Hamilton County Health Department is offering vaccination this week at the county 4-H fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant St., Noblesville. The hours are 1-7 p.m. Tuesday, 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.

The health department is giving tests at its headquarters, 18030A Foundation Drive, Noblesville, but has only PCR tests. To sign up for appointments click here.

Call IndyStar reporter John Tuohy at 317-444-6418. Email at john.tuohy@indystar.com and follow on Twitter and Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: COVID vaccine: Fishers extends hours as ICU beds run short