In partnership with several cultural organizations, the city of Indianapolis and Marion County Public Health Department announced the second vaccine registration hotline for our multilingual residents as part of a continuing strategy to continue to increase the vaccination rates among Indianapolis residents.
This multilingual hotline will be available in nine different languages: English, Spanish, Burmese, Arabic, Mandarin, Swahili, Yoruba, Hakhan Chin, and French. Residents from across Indiana can call (317) 327-2100 to be connected with a fully bilingual volunteer who will assist them in setting up their vaccine appointment.
“Indianapolis is great because of its diversity of ethnicity, culture, and language,” said Mayor Hogsett. “As we emerge from the pandemic, we must make it as convenient as possible for all residents to sign up for their vaccination, regardless of their native language or English proficiency. Through this hotline and other future programming, we will continue to remove barriers to easy vaccine access.”
“The end of the pandemic in Indianapolis is within our reach,” said Dr. Virginia Caine, Director and Chief Medical Officer of the Health Department. “It is still critical that we ensure the lifesaving protection of the COVID-19 vaccine reaches traditionally underserved members of our community through efforts like this multi-lingual hotline.”
The hotline is a continuing community-oriented effort to increase vaccination rates in traditionally underserved Indianapolis neighborhoods where vaccine hesitancy is more prevalent. In March, a Spanish registration hotline assisted over more than 800 neighbors getting registered for their vaccine.
The COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in the United States underwent rigorous testing, and months of data demonstrate their safety and high efficacy. The vaccine saves the body from the risk of fighting COVID unprepared by giving the immune system instructions to recognize and kill the virus if exposed. Receiving these vaccines will greatly reduce the risk of serious illness due to the virus. Those with unanswered questions or concerns about the vaccine can call the Health Department vaccine hotline at 317-221-2100 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Those who previously tested positive for COVID-19 are still encouraged by medical professionals to receive the vaccine, as contracting the virus may only provide limited protection. It is important not to skip the second dose if receiving the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines – vaccine-induced protection is much stronger and longer-lasting after the second dose. It is normal to feel some side effects after receiving the vaccine, including fever, chills, tiredness, headache, or aching at the injection site. These side effects are signs that your body is building protection and typically go away in 24-48 hours.
Earlier this month, the State of Indiana expanded COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to include Hoosiers ages 12 and up. Eligible Hoosiers can sign up to receive the vaccine at ourshot.in.gov or by calling 2-1-1.
Article originally posted on https://www.bewellindy.co.
