Micah Pollack: “Based on CDC #COVID19 vaccination data, #Indiana is ranked 42nd in terms of the proportion of population (all ages) partially or fully vaccinated. I know we’re working hard (really hard!) but it’s a bit disappointing.”
Detroit Free Press: All Michiganders 16 and older eligible for COVID-19 vaccine starting April 5
CNN: Biden directs states to open vaccinations to all adults by May 1
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today issued the simple question: When will Governor Eric Holcomb allow all Hoosier adults to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine? This question follows a directive by President Joe Biden who called on all states to open up vaccine access to all adults by May 1, and it followed a directive by Michigan Governor Gretchen Witmer that gives Michiganders ages 16 and up access to a vaccine by April 5.
The Indiana Democratic Party remains firm in its call for essential workers, seniors, and the state’s most vulnerable to be priority for a COVID-19 vaccine. However, according to Micah Pollack, Associate Professor of Economics at Indiana University Northwest, Indiana currently ranks 42nd in vaccine distribution according to state populations. With a large majority of Indiana’s seniors having been vaccinated, opening up vaccine eligibility to all adults will help mitigate Indiana’s lackluster vaccine delivery and get more shots in the arms of Hoosiers who are ready to move on from the pandemic.
“Our seniors and most vulnerable have been prioritized for COVID-19 vaccines, but as we’ve entered this new phase of the vaccination process, more must be done to improve what’s been described as a ‘disappointing’ rollout to Indiana’s adult population,” said Lauren Ganapini, executive director of the Indiana Democratic Party. “The right thing to do now would be to open up vaccine access to the general adult population. That way, adults who want a vaccine can get a vaccine. It’s Hoosier Common Sense.”
Local Reaction to Indiana’s Lackluster Vaccination Program
Micah Pollack, Associate Professor of Economics at Indiana University Northwest: “Based on CDC #COVID19 vaccination data, #Indiana is ranked 42nd in terms of the proportion of population (all ages) partially or fully vaccinated. I know we’re working hard (really hard!) but it’s a bit disappointing.”
States Allowing All Adults to Have Vaccine Access
Alaska: Alaska Opens Vaccines To Everyone Over 16
Arizona (only eligible in some counties)
Michigan: All Michiganders 16 and older eligible for COVID-19 vaccine starting April 5
President Joe Biden’s Directive
CNN: Biden directs states to open vaccinations to all adults by May 1
“Addressing a pandemic-worn nation a year after coronavirus brought life to a halt, President Joe Biden on Thursday offered a plan to lift the country from crisis using a pair of upcoming dates: May 1, by which he will order states to allow all adults to receive vaccines; and July 4, when he said Americans can again celebrate Independence Day in person.”
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