Sarah Bennett
Vaccinations are a crucial tool in the fight against infectious diseases. In Indiana, the state has seen a recent measles outbreak, with the first case in over a year reported in April 2025. This highly contagious disease is easily preventable with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. Indiana also offers a range of vaccination options for COVID-19, with Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines available. The state also has a comprehensive system for managing animal vaccinations, particularly for rabies, with specific protocols in place for exposed pets.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| COVID-19 Vaccination | The Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available in Indiana. |
| COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility | Individuals aged five and older are eligible for vaccination. |
| COVID-19 Vaccine Locations | Vaccinations are available at various locations throughout northeast Indiana, including local health departments, Kroger, Meijer, and Walmart pharmacies, and vaccination clinic sites by county. |
| Measles Vaccination | The MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine is available in Indiana. |
| Measles Vaccine Eligibility | People born before 1957 are considered immune to measles. Those vaccinated between 1957 and 1968 may benefit from a booster dose. |
| Rabies Vaccination | Rabies vaccines are available for dogs, cats, and ferrets in Indiana. |
| Rabies Vaccine Requirements | Vaccinated pets exposed to rabies may be revaccinated and observed at home. Unvaccinated pets must follow specific protocols, including PSM (Prospective Serologic Monitoring) and antibody testing. |
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What You'll Learn
COVID-19 vaccine locations
Indiana has expanded the number of locations where residents can receive COVID-19 booster vaccines. The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) has added new sites to its map, which can be found at www.ourshot.in.gov. The new bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccines, authorized by the FDA and endorsed by the CDC, protect against the Omicron and Delta variants of the virus. These vaccines are available for individuals 12 and older for the Pfizer vaccine and 18 and older for the Moderna vaccine.
Currently, there are around 200 vaccination sites across the state, including select Meijer, Kroger, and Walmart store pharmacies. Kroger will administer vaccines at 45 Indiana pharmacies, following the recommendations of the Indiana Department of Health. Walmart will use the state system through ourshot.in.gov and by calling 211, while Meijer and Kroger will use their own sign-up systems.
Appointments for the COVID-19 booster vaccine cannot yet be made online but can be scheduled by contacting a pharmacy or healthcare provider directly or by calling 211. Online scheduling is expected to become available later this month. The state is working to increase vaccine accessibility by adding more locations as vaccine shipments arrive.
It is important to note that the vaccines are currently available only to eligible Hoosiers and only by appointment. Walk-ins are not accepted at this time. Additionally, individuals must have completed their primary vaccine series or received their last booster dose at least two months ago to be eligible for the updated booster.
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Pfizer vaccine FDA approval
In Indiana, there is no mandate that requires residents to be vaccinated. However, the availability of vaccines such as the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine has helped in reducing the occurrence of certain diseases. For instance, measles, a highly contagious respiratory disease, is rare in Indiana due to the MMR vaccine. Nevertheless, a single case of measles is considered an outbreak because of its high transmissibility.
On the topic of vaccine approval, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, COMIRNATY®, has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in specific age groups and individuals with underlying conditions. The FDA has approved the vaccine for adults aged 65 and older, as well as individuals aged 5 through 64 with at least one underlying condition that increases their risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. The approval is based on extensive evidence supporting the vaccine's safety and efficacy, including clinical trial data for children aged 5 to 11.
The LP.8.1 sublineage of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is the target of the updated Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine, in line with FDA guidance. The companies plan to begin distributing the updated vaccine immediately to ensure a robust supply and rapid access across the country. This season's vaccine will be available in pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics.
It is important to note that the FDA has revoked prior Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for COVID-19 vaccines, and the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is now endorsed for children aged 5 and older. The FDA is also mandating that COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers conduct additional trials. Pfizer and BioNTech are expected to study the vaccine's effects in adults aged 50 to 64 without underlying conditions, with results anticipated in 2027.
The approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine by the FDA is a significant step in the fight against the virus, especially for those at higher risk of severe outcomes. By targeting the latest sublineage of the virus, the vaccine aims to provide effective protection to those who receive it.
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Rabies vaccination for pets
In Indiana, rabies vaccination exemptions are not allowed by law. All dogs, cats, and ferrets older than 3 months must be vaccinated against rabies. The rabies vaccine must be administered by a licensed and accredited veterinarian or under the supervision of one. The cost of a rabies vaccine is around $30.
The final determination of an animal's rabies vaccination status is made by Indiana's state veterinarian, who also establishes a statewide animal rabies control program. This program includes rabies vaccination requirements, vaccine distribution requirements, and control requirements for moving animals into the state and the exhibition of animals.
When vaccinating an animal for rabies, the veterinarian must complete a vaccination certificate or computerized record in triplicate, including the following information: the name and address of the animal's owner, the species, sex, and age of the animal, the date of vaccination, the product name and lot or serial number of the vaccine, the date of revaccination, the tag number if issued, and the name and Indiana veterinary license number of the vaccinating veterinarian.
One copy of the certificate or record is given to the animal's owner, one is forwarded to the county health officer or their agent, and one is retained by the veterinarian. The veterinarian must also furnish the owner with a rabies vaccination identification tag that includes the veterinarian's or clinic's name and telephone number and a unique identification number. The owner should keep the certificate and tag until the animal is due for revaccination and is recommended to affix the tag to the animal's collar or harness to be worn at all times.
In Indiana, USDA-licensed rabies vaccines for administration to animals are only 1-year or 3-year labeled vaccines. A veterinarian has the discretion to administer either as the initial dose, but revaccination is required one year following the initial dose, regardless of the animal's age and the type of vaccine initially administered. The duration an animal is considered "currently vaccinated" after revaccination is determined by the product label of the last vaccine administered.
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Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine
Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) are highly contagious respiratory diseases caused by viruses. Measles can cause cold-like symptoms, red eyes, tiny white spots inside the mouth, and a rash. It is especially harmful to unvaccinated infants, people with compromised immune systems, and pregnant people. Mumps and rubella are also dangerous and can cause serious illness.
The MMR vaccine is a safe and effective way to prevent these diseases. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are recommended by doctors as the best way to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella. The MMR vaccine is a combination of vaccines that protect against all three diseases. It is available under the brand names M-M-R II and PRIORIX, which are considered interchangeable. The MMR vaccine is safe for breastfeeding women, and the baby will not be affected by the vaccine through breast milk.
The MMR vaccine is recommended for all children and adults who do not have evidence of immunity against these diseases. Children may get two doses of the MMRV vaccine, which also protects against chickenpox. The MMRV vaccine is also available for children who need to be vaccinated against chickenpox. The MMR and MMRV vaccines may be given at the same time as other vaccines. Anyone traveling internationally should be fully vaccinated before traveling, and infants 6-11 months old should get one dose of the MMR vaccine before travel, followed by two more doses after their first birthday.
While the MMR vaccine is safe, it can have side effects, which are usually mild and go away on their own. These may include a sore arm from the shot, temporary pain and stiffness in the joints, and swelling in the cheeks or neck. In rare cases, the MMR vaccine has been linked to a very small risk of febrile seizures, especially in children younger than seven years old. However, these seizures are not associated with any long-term effects. There is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism, as carefully studied by scientists in the United States and other countries.
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Booster doses
Indiana has been administering COVID-19 vaccines to eligible individuals in various locations throughout northeast Indiana. The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) and its COVID-19 Vaccine Review Advisory Group review and issue guidance for any new vaccine before it is administered in the state. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been found to be approximately 95% effective at preventing COVID-19. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has a 66% global efficacy against preventing moderate to severe illness, 85% efficacy against severe illness, and is 100% effective in preventing death.
On August 23, the Pfizer vaccine received FDA approval for individuals aged five and above and for the administration of a third dose (booster) for people aged 12 and older. The Pfizer vaccine is also available under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for individuals between the ages of five and fifteen.
Eligible individuals can receive their booster shots at various locations throughout northeast Indiana. Vaccination locations can be selected upon registration using the Zotec platform on the IDOH website. Local health departments have opened vaccination clinics in each county of the state. Eligible individuals can also get vaccinated at participating Kroger, Meijer, or Walmart pharmacy locations through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program for COVID-19 Vaccination.
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Frequently asked questions
COVID-19 vaccination is not mandatory in Indiana, but it is highly recommended by health authorities. Vaccinations are available to eligible individuals in various locations throughout northeast Indiana.
Measles vaccination is not mandatory in Indiana, but it is highly recommended by health authorities. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease, and a single case is considered an outbreak.
Yes, dogs, cats, and ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies in Indiana. If your pet is bitten or exposed to a rabid animal, it must be revaccinated within 96 hours of exposure.
