COVID-19 Information Hub
Sycamore Services, Inc. is providing this page as a resource while we continue serving participants, families and visitors. Please note that this reflects the most current information available based on current guidance from state and federal health officials, but policies established by Sycamore Services, Inc., are subject to change as necessary.
CDC Expands Eligibility for COVID-19 Booster Shots to All Adults
People age 18 years and older who received Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines may get a booster six months after completion of their primary vaccination series.
Contact the location that set up your previous appointment. If you need to find a different location, there are several ways you can find a vaccine provider.
You may choose which COVID-19 vaccine you receive as a booster shot. Some people may prefer the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.
Travel
If you are considering traveling for a holiday or event, visit CDC’s Travel page to help you decide what is best for you and your family. Delay travel until you are fully vaccinated.
Check your destination’s COVID-19 situation before travel. State, local, and territorial governments may have travel restrictions in place.
Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is required in indoor areas of public transportation (including airplanes) and indoors in U.S. transportation hubs (including airports).
Do not travel if you have been exposed to COVID-19, you are sick, or if you test positive for COVID-19.
If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, get tested both before and after your trip.
Talking to your kids about the Coronavirus:
https://www.sycamoreservices.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Talking-to-Kids-1.png
A full list of policies and procedures can be found here: https://www.sycamoreservices.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/COVID-19-Delta-Variant-Interim-Guidance-8.27.2021.pdf
Return to work, quarantine guidelines and how to monitor for symptoms: https://www.sycamoreservices.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Covid-Procedure-Highlight-8.30.21-final.pdf
(Source: CDC website, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/)
(Posted 11/4/21)
COVID-19 Vaccination in Indiana
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has now authorized the Pfizer vaccine for ages 5 to 11 following the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) review of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) amended Emergency Use Authorization. The vaccine is available in Indiana, but the federal government is sending vaccine in waves.
Anyone age 12 and older may now schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment. Call 211 (866-211-9966) if you do not have access to a computer or need assistance. Walk-in appointments are also accepted at most vaccination sites, but registration is encouraged to ensure the appropriate dose is available at your chosen location.
Please note that anyone younger than 18 must receive the Pfizer vaccine. It is the only vaccine to receive Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA for that age group.
Click here to download the above image: https://www.sycamoreservices.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/21_Youth-Pfizer-fact-sheet_11-4.jpg
(Posted 10/25/21)
Please see the communication below published by The Indiana Department of Health regarding updates from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the COVID-19 vaccine booster doses. For additional information regarding the dosage and administration for the Moderna and Janssen (J&J) booster doses, please see the following Fact Sheets:
Moderna Vaccine:
J&J Vaccine:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) reviewed the U.S. FDA’s amended Emergency Use Authorization of COVID-19 vaccine for booster doses. A “booster dose” is another dose of a vaccine that is given to someone who built enough protection after vaccination, but then that protection decreased over time (this is called waning immunity).
The CDC has issued booster eligibility guidance. Based on those recommendations, the Indiana Department of Health supports the administration of booster doses to individuals who attest to meeting CDC guidelines as outlined below:
Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received and others, may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots. Please note that the Moderna booster is a ½ dose.
Zotec booster update
The Zotec system update of the booster dose attestation and consent is anticipated to go live Sunday with a booster appointment for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, in addition to the Pfizer booster already in the system.
While providers may mix and match any booster dose, please note that individuals will not be able to make appointments for a booster dose that’s different than their primary dose until next week while the system is updated. The site information indicates which types of vaccine are available.
In the meantime, if an individual at your vaccination site presents for any type of booster dose, please administer the booster shot and document in the notes field, if using the Zotec platform. No proof of eligibility is required.
Please note that those eligible for the booster dose are not the same individuals already eligible for the third additional dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine due to their immunocompromised status. Sometimes people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised do not build enough (or any) protection when they first get a vaccination. When this happens, getting another dose of the vaccine can sometimes help them build more protection against the disease. For those guidelines, please visit ourshot.in.gov. There is no guidance yet of individuals who received a third dose are eligible for a booster dose.
(Information below published 10/21/21)
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot
CDC recommends that people in the following groups should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 Vaccine at least 6 months after completion of their 2-dose Pfizer series:
People who may receive a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine booster include:
Getting Your COVID-19 Vaccine
Vaccines are now widely available. In many cases, you do not need an appointment. The federal government is providing the vaccine free of charge to all people living in the United States, regardless of their immigration or health insurance status. Around 90% of people in the United States live within 5 miles of a COVID-19 vaccine location.
Accessing a COVID-19 Vaccine If You Are Homebound
If you are homebound and need to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, contact your healthcare provider or your state or local health department. In many states, you may also dial 211 to connect to essential community services.
If you are not able to arrange a COVID-19 vaccination through your healthcare provider or through your state or local health department, try contacting groups that are advocates for people who are homebound:
The Aging Network at 1-800-677-1116
Search for services by ZIP code with the Eldercare Locator
Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) at 1-888-677-1199
Hotline for Medicare recipients at 1-800-633-4227 (TTY 1-877-486-2048)
You may also try contacting private home health services, personal aides, or organizations such as Meals on Wheels. Sometimes these groups can advocate for you or inform you about the services available in your area.
COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review
Weekly hospitalization rates from COVID-19 have recently increased for children ages 11 years and younger. Hospitalization rates among children and adolescents are at their highest levels since the start of the pandemic. These increases come as many schools across the country have returned to in-person learning. Masks are important for reducing the spread of COVID-19 among children in K–12 school settings. To keep kids safe, CDC recommends masks for all students, teachers, and staff while indoors, along with COVID-19 vaccination and testing, and physical distancing.
Read more in the COVID Data Tracker.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention FAQ on COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html
Use Masks to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html
Indiana COVID-19 Dashboard and Map (Dashboard updated Monday through Friday at 5 p.m.): https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/2393.htm
Indiana State Department of Health COVID-19 information: https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/
We appreciate everyone working together to keep the individuals we serve and staff safe and healthy during this unprecedented time. Please continue to remember that decisions made inside and outside of work could potentially impact others.
About Sycamore Services, Inc.:
Sycamore Services, Inc. is a nonprofit organization serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and others facing daily challenges. We are devoted to making a difference by offering individually designed programs and services to adults and children that create new, meaningful opportunities to increase independence and enhance quality of life.
For more information, contact our main office at 317-745-4715.
