By @emilyontheradio

Right now, about 300,000 Hoosiers have been fully vaccinated for COVID 19, according to WTHR. Healthcare workers, first responsonders, people who work closely with infectious materials, and people over 16 are eligible to make an appointment to get their shot now, but the rest of us must wait until there is a larger supply of the vaccines. Or, do we?

I’m not saying you can simply jump your place in line, but because the vaccines must be used within 6 hours of opening, they have to get used so that they don’t get wasted. Sometimes people miss their appointments. Then who gets that shot? Maybe it’s you.

There are a couple of ways to sign up to receive texts letting you know you there’s a leftover vaccine near you that you can have early.

1. Vaccination Standby is a service that does exactly this. You just give your phone number and zip code. Sign up here!
2. Meijer has a similar program. It takes less than 5 minutes to get started when you text COVID to 75049.

I did both. Know that there’s not a guarantee that if you show up you’ll be able to get the shot for yourself. I imagine they send out a text to multiple people and see who shows up first because the key here is that they just need to not waste what they’ve already opened.

May the odds be ever in your favor.

@emilyontheradio