Some Indiana teachers to receive third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, more expected to get it in the upcoming period

The so-called booster dose, or the third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, has been a hot topic for some time now and it looks like slowly, but surely is becoming a reality.

Last week CDC held a special meeting to discuss the real need of a third dose of the vaccines as Delta variant surges across the country causing issues for business, students and elderly people.

The key advisory group with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) voted to recommend a third dose of Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccines for certain immunocompromised Americans over the age of 12.

As soon as this information was released, many Indiana teachers decided to get the third, booster dose of the vaccines in order to prevent themselves, their families and students from the deadly virus.

One of them is the Greenwood Community School Corporation teacher Sandy James who has systemic lupus.

“My immune system, the only thing it’s really good at battling is myself,” James said. “To me, the fact that I’m with 115 kids every day, some of whom aren’t masked, it just felt like it was a good decision for me after reading about what the CDC said and about what the health departments are saying.”

As of Saturday, the masks are recommended but not mandating in the Greenwood Community School Corporation and that makes the teacher feel insecure when it comes to her safety. Despite the fact that the teacher got two doses of the Moderna’s vaccine earlier this year, she thinks a third dose will surely help her boost her immunity.

“If getting that extra protection was going to keep me from ending up in the hospital with COVID, yeah, jumping in line seemed like a good idea,” she said.

CVS and Walgreens were among the first to offer a third dose of the vaccines on Saturday and the teacher said she got hers at CVS.

“It’s a good thing and it’s not just good for me, it’s good for other people. That’s the thing about masks and vaccines – these are things that are not only protecting yourself, you’re being kind to other people, and that’s what’s important to me,” James said.

Everyone interested in more detailed Covid-19 numbers or vaccination information should visit the ISDH website here.