TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) -- The Tippecanoe County vaccine clinic is approaching it's first full week of service. It's helped hundreds of people get their first dose of the Covid-19 shot since opening on Monday, Jan. 11.
It has been a week of learning and adjusting for the Tippecanoe County Health Department. As the vaccine clinic is officially open for eligible members of the general public, they're working to make the process run as smoothly as possible.
"All the hard work that we're doing, it's nice to finally see our loved ones get the vaccine," said Khala Hochstedler, Tippecanoe County Health Department administrator.
This week people ages 70 or older are eligible to be vaccinated. Hochstedler is encouraging friends, families, and neighbors to help get people of that demographic registered. This is one major step they've found helpful in keeping operations organized.
"If you have elderly people in your life, you should be reaching out to them to help them register," said Hochstedler. "You don't have to physically be with them, you can be on the phone with them, getting their demographics, and scheduling an appointment for them."
Only patients who register for the shot and book their appointment will be seen. The clinic is not vaccinating anyone who is not registered first. This not only helps keep things organized but it cuts down on wait time and helps keep people socially-distanced.
"The goal is to be in and out in 24 minutes once you step foot in here," said Hochstedler.
Registered patients are asked to wait outside and will be called in when it's their turn. After getting the shot they'll wait for 15 minutes to be monitored. They'll book their second Covid-19 shot appointment, then they're free to go.
"We're really encouraging you to make the appointment and get the vaccine because we're tired every day of running the death report and seeing another name on it," said Hochstedler. "We now have hope and we have the end to Covid-19."
Hochstedler said they've received complaints, since the registration website launched, of people having trouble registering online. She said it's important you stay on the website and don't click out, an option to register will eventually appear and it can take more than an hour. You can find the register to get your Covid-19 shot here. News 18 breaks down the registration process here.
