Marion County Public Health Department hosting COVID-19 vaccine and testing mobile clinic during College Football Playoff Championship festivities
Published on 10 January 2022 00:00
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 10, 2022
INDIANAPOLIS – The Marion County Public Health Department (MCPHD) is partnering with the College Football Playoff Host Committee to provide free COVID-19 vaccine and rapid testing on Monday, Jan. 10 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on the north side of Washington Street between Pennsylvania and Meridian streets.
This walk-in clinic near Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis will take place using two MCPHD mobile units.
The vaccine clinic will offer both initial and booster doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for those ages 12 and over, as well as the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for those ages 18 and older. Those receiving a second or booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine are asked to bring their vaccine card or a photo of the card. Parental or guardian consent is required for a minor to be administered the vaccine.
COVID-19 rapid testing will be offered at this clinic in a new mobile unit (photo attached) that includes an enhanced air filtration system designed by Indianapolis-based Lumin-Air. Rapid test results will be provided on-site within about 15 minutes of getting a test.
“The best thing we can do right now to protect those we love is to practice the COVID-19 basics: wear a mask indoors, wash our hands frequently, stay home if feeling sick, and get vaccinated,” said Dr. Virginia Caine, director and chief medical officer of the Marion County Public Health Department.
Special thanks to the Aesculapian Medical Society of the National Medical Association for its help with this clinic.
Dr. Caine also advised that individuals should avoid the hospital emergency room in these circumstances as it relates to COVID-19 so that these resources are available to care for our most critical patients:
• A person who wants a COVID-19 test should not go to the hospital emergency room unless they have moderate to severe symptoms.
• A person who tests positive using an at-home COVID-19 test kit and has no symptoms or just mild symptoms should not go the emergency room. They should wait to see a primary care professional.
• A person who has tested positive for COVID-19 should not go to an emergency room to have a doctor provide them with a release to return to work. Emergency room doctors will not provide a statement for a person who tested outside of their facility. Please confirm the diagnosis with a follow-up PCR test.
COVID-19 vaccines are also available at MCPHD clinics across Marion County as well as at many local pharmacies and doctor’s offices. Find these options and more information about the vaccine at OurShot.IN.gov or by calling 2-1-1. Drive-thru COVID-19 testing (PCR only; no rapid testing) is available from MCPHD at 3838 N. Rural Street, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Due to high demand, those seeking a test at this site are encouraged to visit MarionHealth.org/indycovid to make an appointment for quicker service.
The vaccine saves the body from the risk of fighting COVID-19 unprepared by giving the immune system instructions to recognize and kill the virus if exposed. Receiving these vaccines has been shown to greatly reduce the risk of serious illness and death due to the virus.
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