Hamilton County Health Dept. began administering the first doses of the Pfizer vaccine March 2. Previously, it administered the Moderna vaccine, but the Indiana State Dept. of Health asked the health department to make the switch so it could utilize Moderna vaccines on mobile units in rural areas.
The Pfizer vaccine must be stored at minus 94 degrees, which makes it more difficult to transport. The ISDH provided the Hamilton County Health Dept. with ultra-low storage for the Pfizer vaccine.
The state also receives more doses of Pfizer, which will allow the Hamilton County Health Dept. to administer more doses. The clinic at the 4-H Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant St, Noblesville, is one of the busiest clinics in the state. The switch from Moderna to Pfizer will allow the clinic to vaccinate up to 3,540 people a week. It is currently vaccinating 1,200 people per week with Moderna.
“It’s going to be a challenging few weeks as we transition, but we welcome the challenge,” stated Christian Walker, Hamilton County Health Dept. emergency preparedness coordinator. “It means we’ll be able to get more vaccines into the arms of more Hoosiers.”
The switch does not affect those who received their first doses of Moderna at the 4-H Fairgrounds. The health department will provide second doses of Moderna through the end of this month.
