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MUNCIE, Ind. (WISH) — Many Hoosiers deal with a rarely discussed part of COVID-19, the challenges patients deal with after being released from the ICU.

As a result, one Indiana hospital launched a program to help outpatients and their families cope together.

After a month in ICU of July 2020, John Losure at age 62 finally woke up from a coma.

“I had a clasped lung, a chest tube, a pick, and they fed me through my nose. My thoughts and everything was trying to come back to me. (Then) I began to look at my body, and I was amazed my arms were so small,” Losure said.

John would spend 50 days in ICU on a ventilator and a feeding tube. Once released from the hospital, he needed long-term care to regain strength.

“I went home without walking. I couldn’t walk,” Losure said.

ICU patients can take years to recover from Post-intensive Care Syndrome, defined as health problems that remain after a critical illness.

“I still have lung issues. I have scarring,” Losure said.

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital offers a support group for ICU survivors.

“We are getting a lot of patients that are post-COVID because of just how many patients with COVID are ending up in our ICUs. A lot of what they are experiencing is no different than a patient three or four years ago that would have sepsis phenomena, that would come in and have to be on a ventilator for two weeks,” said Amanda Luper, an IU Health occupational therapist.

But, she added, “It is the same ICU-required weakness, the same delirium, same long-term cognitive deficits. We are just seeing more of it because, unfortunately, this fire has landed a lot more people in critical care.”

John and his wife, Cathy, of 45 years attend group sessions at Ball Memorial to open up about their experiences.

Cathy told News 8 that COVID-19 forced her and her husband to adjust to a new way of living. In addition, she had to retire to help take care of her husband.

The group sessions allow them to relate to others and not feel alone. “It’s good to know there are other caretakers that are going through the same things,” Cathy said.

Together, the couple is thankful for the service and encourages others to join their community. “Someone might say something at one of the meetings that registers with you,” John said.

The support group meets every the third Tuesday monthly in the outpatient medical pavilion at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. The next meeting is set to go from 6-8 p.m. March 15, and virtual option is under development. Anyone interested can email icusupport@iuhealth.org.

The COVID-19 vaccine could be available for children ages 5-11 as early as November. The FDA is currently considering Pfizer’s request to approve their version of the vaccine for the young age group. Currently vaccines are available, and recommended, for most everyone ages 12 and up.

With this come questions from parents about safety and whether their child should be vaccinated. While you should always consult your pediatrician or primary care provider, Dr. Amanda Furr, Community Health Network pediatrician, has answers to some of the most common questions:

Q: The FDA is considering approving a COVID vaccine for kids ages 5-12. If approved, should parents get their children vaccinated?

A: As long as there is no medical condition that would prevent them from getting the vaccine, children age 5-12 should receive their vaccination against COVID if it is approved. Always check with your pediatrician.

Q: Are the side effects the same as with the adult version?

A: The side effects are very similar and in many cases milder than what was seen in adults receiving the COVID vaccination. Common side effects include headache, muscle aches, and low-grade fever most of which resolved in 24-48 hours.

 Q: What if the child is afraid of needles or apprehensive about getting the shot?

A: This is a normal fear of most children (and some adults). As healthcare professionals, we can help make the process as quick and easy as possible. Sometimes a simple description of the steps of getting a shot will alleviate the anxiety of the unknown. It is also important to explain that we are giving the vaccine to help keep them healthy.

Q: This is also flu season, should my child get both the COVID and flu vaccine?

A: Flu vaccine is recommended for children ages 6 months and older. If a child qualifies for both they should receive both. According to current CDC guidelines, both the flu and COVID vaccines can be given at the same time. Official guidance for ages 5-11 will be released upon approval.

Q: Is it ok if my child doesn’t get the COVID vaccine?

A: At this time the COVID vaccine is not required for children in Indiana. The COVID vaccine has been proven to be highly effective in preventing serious illness and death in older children and adults. The vaccine studies in ages 5-11 showed an impressive reduction in the number of vaccinated children that developed COVID with symptoms. If approved, parents should strongly consider vaccinating their child to help prevent illness, reduce days missed from school, and slow the spread of the virus.

Q: How is Community preparing for vaccinations for children?

A: We currently have vaccinations available for ages 12 and older. Our practices and vaccination sites are willing and able to provide these vaccination to children 5-11 when approved and available.

Read more about the steps FDA is taking to ensure safety of vaccine for children ages 5- 11:

FDA Will Follow The Science On COVID-19 Vaccines For Young Children | FDA

For more information visit: ecommunity.com.

THIS SEGMENT IS SPONSORED BY COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORK.

Children 12 and older can now receive the COVID-19 vaccine according to CDC guidelines. Dawn Moore, chief pharmacy officer for the Community Health Network joined us today with what parents and young people need to know about the vaccine. 

Community Health Network finds that some kids are eager to be vaccinated, but parents are hesitant; or parents want their children vaccinated, but teens are hesitant. Plus, they are likely to be on social media, where there is a lot of misinformation.

There is a schedule of vaccine clinics taking place at their partner schools all summer long.

For more from the Community Health Network visit, ecommunity.com.

For more information about myocarditis and the COVID-19 vaccine, check out this information from the CDC: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/myocarditis.html.

THIS SEGMENT IS SPONSORED BY THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORK.

With summer upon us and COVID-19 vaccines continuing to roll out, families are eager for “normalcy,” whether they’re finally planning social gatherings, heading out on their first vacation since before the pandemic or sending their kids off to summer camp.

Dr. Syeda Amna Husain joined us today with some timely ideas on staying cautious this summer. She’s a pediatrician and mother who has teamed up with Abbott to tell us about the Binaxnow self-test, a new COVID-19 test that can be done at home as parents begin to navigate the return to normal with their children.

Dr. Husain is also a board-certified concierge pediatrician providing quality pediatric care to children of all ages in new jersey and is a trusted expert when it comes to COVID-19 and how it has impacted children and families.

For more information visit, Binaxnow-selftest.abbott.

THIS SEGMENT IS SPONSORED BY ABBOTT.

As more and more people get vaccinated, something you may be wondering is, what how your life and interactions will change as things get back to “normal.”

Dr. John Christenson, medical director of infection prevention for Riley Children’s Health and Sarah Waddle of AARP joined us today to share how should I act around my vaccinated friends/family, children under 12, non-vaccinated people and large crowds/gatherings.
     
For more information visit, AARP.org.

THIS SEGMENT IS SPONSORED BY AARP.

Much of the Latinx population has been hesitant to get vaccinated, according to Brandon Yohn, DO, family physician, at the Community Health Network. He joined us today to share what’s been preventing some people in that community from getting vaccinated, where people can go to get vaccinated soon and more.

Pop Up Clinic info:

For more information visit, Ecommunity.com/healthminute/2021/covid-19-vaccine-updates.

THIS SEGMENT IS SPONSORED BY THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORK.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — El miércoles por la mañana, el alcalde de Indianápolis, Joe Hogsett, y los líderes de salud del condado de Marion anunciaron actualizaciones a las restricciones de COVID-19 del condado.

El alcalde y los funcionarios de salud anunciaron que recomendarán al Ayuntamiento de la Ciudad-Condado que levante el mandato de las mascarillas para aquellos que estén completamente vacunados el 7 de junio. Sin embargo, los funcionarios de salud todavía recomiendan que las personas completamente vacunadas sigan usando mascarillas en los hospitales y en el transporte público.

Además, el 7 de junio, los servicios religiosos en el condado de Marion aumentarán su capacidad al 100% y los eventos deportivos en un espacio interior aumentarán su capacidad al 50%.

“El 7 de junio, anticipamos que estaremos en condiciones de reducir aún más las restricciones de salud pública”, dijo el alcalde de Indianápolis, Joe Hogsett. “Esas son otras dos semanas y media de inyecciones en los brazos que aumentarán la tasa de vacunación de la comunidad, lo que obstaculizará aún más la posible propagación del virus”.

“El 7 de junio nos llevaría más allá de uno de los eventos más grandes, si no el evento más grande del mundo desde el inicio de la pandemia, las 500 Millas de Indianápolis de este año”, dijo Hogsett.

Sin embargo, el alcalde Hogsett dijo que el Ayuntamiento de la ciudad y el condado de Indianápolis debe aprobar estas recomendaciones.

“La vacuna nos está devolviendo a la normalidad”, dijo Hogsett. “Cuantas más personas elijan esa opción, más fuerte y más rápida será nuestra recuperación”.

La recomendación del condado de Marion sigue las restricciones de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades de la semana pasada. Los CDC anunciaron que aquellos que estén completamente vacunados contra COVID-19 no necesitan usar máscaras o practicar el distanciamiento social en espacios interiores o al aire libre, excepto bajo ciertas circunstancias.

It’s shocking that more than 560,000 Americans have died from the coronavirus.

So, while the push to get people vaccinated is a national priority, another critical need is to find new treatments for the virus.

Joining us today with an update on current and some new Covid-19 treatment options was Dr. Cameron Durrant Chairman and CEO of Humanigen.

Dr. Durrant also has an MBA, and he leads a company that has just completed a phase three trial and will be requesting emergency use authorization for a new monoclonal antibody treatment called Lenzilumab or Lenz.

For more information, visit: Humanigen.com/lenzilumab

THIS SEGMENT IS SPONSORED BY HUMANIGEN.

National reports show that vaccine scheduling is on the decline, and the numbers indicate the age of COVID-19 patients admitted to hospitals is trending younger. Joining us today was Dr. Indy Lane, OB-Gyn for Community Health Network physician and medical director for Fishers. She explained why that’s happening and educated us about vaccines. Here’s more from her:

There has been a steady, and concerning, increase in COVID-positive patients admitted to our hospitals the past 4-6 weeks.

Some reasons:

The average age of patients admitted for COVID is trending younger compared to the end of last year.

The COVID vaccine is now available to anyone 16 and older.

Getting the vaccine is far safer than getting COVID.

The virus is new, but researchers have been studying the family of coronaviruses for a decade.

The vaccine technology itself had been developed and was ready to be used for this purpose.

Part of clinical trials is to continue to study the effects. The J&J pause is a natural part of that process, once it was determined a rare number of people got blood clots after getting the vaccine. • The CDC and the FDA recommend resuming the use of the J & J vaccine.

There is an increased risk in a rare event called thrombosis in women under the age of 50.

Studies indicated the benefits outweigh the risk.

If you have any questions about that particular vaccine, you should always consult your doctor. • The J&J vaccine is a different technology than the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

We are hoping that with the drive-through clinics; and with the ‘walk-in’ model, it will provide easier access to get vaccinated.

The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19:

If you have access to the internet, visit OurShot.IN.gov, and if not, call 211 to learn more and sign up for your vaccination.

For more information also visit, eCommunity.com.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — El Consulado de México en Indianápolis en colaboración con el departamento de Salud Pública del Condado de Marion (MCHPD) tendrán una feria de vacunación para la comunidad mexicana contra COVID-19.

La clínica estará abierta para vacunación el lunes, 3 de mayo del 2021 a partir de las 9 a.m en 3685 Commercial Dr. Indianapolis, IN 46222. Se aplicará la vacuna de Pfizer (para mayores de 16 años). Las personas interesadas pueden llamar al 317-221-2100 y una persona los atenderá en español y ayudará agendar la cita.

Deben mostrar identificación con fecha de nacimiento para recibir la vacuna. Si asiste para recibir la segunda dosis, lleve la tarjeta de registro de vacunación contra la COVID-19, que le dieron cuando recibió la primera dosis. Esta tarjeta muestra la fecha de su primera dosis y el tipo de vacuna. Recuerde usar ropa adecuada para que le puedan colocar la vacuna en la parte superior del brazo.

La vacuna es gratis para todos. No importa el estatus migratorio, y no se requiere seguro médico. “¡Aprovechen la oportunidad de vacunarse contra el COVID-19 y hagan su cita!”, dijo Cristina Garza del Consulado de México en Indianápolis.