INDIANAPOLIS — Here are Monday's latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic, including the latest news on COVID-19 vaccinations and testing in Indiana.
Registrations for the vaccine are now open for all Hoosiers through the Indiana Department of Health. This story will be updated over the course of the day with more news on the COVID-19 pandemic.
RELATED: Central Indiana school districts share how they combat learning loss from COVID-19 pandemic
New COVID-19 booster shots going out to Hoosiers
Newly-approved COVID-19 booster shots are now going into the arms of Hoosiers, nearly two weeks after Centers for Disease Control endorsed the upgraded shots.
The CDC reports the updated Pfizer vaccine is available for people 12 years and older. The updated Moderna vaccine is available for people 18 years and older. Both help fight the most dominant strains of the omicron variant.
As long as Hoosiers meet the age requirements, they are eligible for either vaccine, regardless of which initial dose they received, according to the Indiana Department of Health.
Leaders there say shipments of the vaccines are still arriving in Indiana.
"The new COVID-19 boosters are being shipped in waves," said IDOH's Megan Wade-Taxter. "Some providers have them available now, while others are still awaiting their shipments."
Officials suggest Hoosiers use the state's online vaccine site map to find a location that works best for them.
"Hoosiers can search for a mobile unit or contact their healthcare provider or pharmacy to see if the vaccines have arrived," said Wade-Taxter.
Latest US, world numbers
There have been more than 95.25 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States as of 8:20 a.m. ET Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 1.05 million deaths recorded in the U.S.
Worldwide, there have been more than 608.69 million confirmed coronavirus cases with more than 6.51 million deaths and more than 12.19 billion vaccine doses administered.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness like pneumonia, or death.
CDC map shows 8 Indiana counties at 'high risk' of spreading COVID-19
On Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, eight Indiana counties were classified in the high-risk category for spreading COVID-19.
The central Indiana counties listed on the CDC data map as having a "high" community risk of spreading COVID-19 are Blackford, Delaware, Dubois, Gibson, Howard, Parke, Randolph and Warrick.
There were also 45 Indiana counties listed as "medium" risks, including Bartholomew, Decatur, Henry, Madison, Rush, Tippecanoe and Tipton counties in central Indiana.
Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Marion, Morgan and Shelby counties in central Indiana are listed as "low" risks for spreading COVID-19 as of Monday morning.
Over the past seven days, Indiana has recorded 9,430 new cases and 52 deaths. The 7-day moving average of new hospital admissions for COVID-19 is 96.
Updated COVID-19 boosters now offered at Meijer, Walgreens and CVS
All Meijer pharmacies in the Midwest are now offering the updated COVID-19 boosters, which help protect against the BA.4 and BA.5 variants.
The new boosters target today's most common omicron strains.
Meijer officials encourage people to stay on top of both COVID-19 boosters and flu vaccines ahead of the holiday season.
The Pfizer-BioNTech booster is available for anyone 12 years and older. The Moderna booster is available to those 18 and older. Both require at least two months since their last vaccination. For now, children younger than 12 are not authorized for this current booster.
Health officials say both the COVID-19 booster and flu shot can be received during the same appointment.
To schedule a vaccine appointment with Meijer, text “COVID” or “flu” to 75049, visit their website or call your local pharmacy.
Officials with CVS said locations across the area are now offering the new booster shots, with more doses coming in on a rolling basis over the coming days and weeks. Appointments are recommended and can be made online.
Similarly, Walgreens is also offering the new boosters with shipments arriving daily. Their online portal shows appointments available across central Indiana.
The CDC recommends Hoosiers sign up for an appointment if it has been more than two months after their latest vaccine dose.
CDC drops quarantine, distancing recommendations for COVID-19
The nation's top public health agency relaxed its COVID-19 guidelines, dropping the recommendation that Americans quarantine themselves if they come into close contact with an infected person.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also said people no longer need to stay at least 6 feet away from others.
The changes, which come more than 2 1/2 years after the start of the pandemic, are driven by a recognition that an estimated 95% of Americans 16 and older have acquired some level of immunity, either from being vaccinated or infected, agency officials said.
What to know about BA.5, BA.4 variant symptoms
As Americans ramp up their summer travels without their masks, two COVID-19 subvariants are causing a surge in cases.
BA.5, which accounts for 65% of cases, and BA.4, which is 16% of cases, are omicron's smarter cousins. The two subvariants are evading antibodies and even vaccine protections, as they are one of the most contagious versions of the virus yet.
"It knows how to trick our immune system," said TEGNA's medical expert Dr. Payal Kohli.
Since the subvariants derived from the original omicron variant, symptoms fall under the same umbrella. However, symptoms still vary depending on vaccination status, age, prior infection, medication and other factors, said Kohli.
Data collected from the Zoe app in the UK show most symptoms mimic the common cold, with sore throats and runny noses. Kohli said a significant change in symptoms for the subvariants are heightened amounts of sneezing, something not seen in earlier forms of the COVID-19 variant.
The subvariants responsible for the latest surge pose a different threat as it also has higher rates of reinfection.
Parents can schedule vaccine appointments for young children
The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) announced that the public can now schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments for children through age 5 by visiting www.ourshot.in.gov.
Appointments are available for individuals seeking the Moderna vaccine for children ages 6 months through 5 years and the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 6 months through 4 years on the state's scheduling platform.
IDOH has updated its map at www.ourshot.in.gov to show sites that offer vaccines for the youngest age group.
Appointments are recommended due to vaccine and provider availability. Individuals also can call 211 for assistance or contact their child’s healthcare provider to determine if they are offering vaccines.
Visit the Indiana Department of Health at www.health.in.gov for important health and safety information.
Riley Children's Health offering COVID-19 vaccines
Riley Children's Health has the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months to 5 years old.
Appointments are required and can be made by calling 211.
Riley Physicians at IU Health West:
- Mondays and Thursdays: 5 p.m.-8:20 p.m.
- Saturdays: 8 a.m.-11:20 a.m.
- 1111 Ronald Reagan Pkwy, Avon
Riley Physicians at IU Health North:
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 5 p.m.-8:20 p.m.
- Saturdays: 8 a.m.-11:20 a.m.
- 11700 N. Meridian Street, Carmel
Riley Physicians at East Washington
- Tuesdays and Fridays: 5 p.m.-8:20 p.m.
- Saturdays: 8 a.m.-11:20 a.m.
- 9650 Washington St #245, Indianapolis
Riley Physicians at Methodist Medical Plaza South
- Wednesdays and Thursdays: 5 p.m.-8:20 p.m.
- Saturdays: 8 a.m.-11:20 a.m.
- 8820 S Meridian St Suite 125, Indianapolis
Riley Physicians at Georgetown
- Tuesdays and Fridays: 5 p.m.-8:20 p.m.
- Saturdays: 8 a.m.-11:20 a.m.
- 4880 Century Plaza Rd Suite 250, Indianapolis
MCPHD offering COVID vaccine for kids 6 months to 4 years old
The Marion County Public Health Department is offering COVID-19 vaccinations to children ages 6 months to 4 years old at its district health offices and ACTION Health Center.
To see the schedule for each location, click here. Vaccinations are by appointment only. Call the specific location to make an appointment, or call MCPHD's Immunization Program at 317-221-2122.