Teachers and other Hoosiers throughout the state signed up for vaccine waitlists to receive unused vaccine doses and help avoid waste.

According to the Indiana Department of Health, the age group accounts for more than 22 percent of the states population but 64 percent of the COVID-19 hospitalizations and 93.3 percent of the deaths.

Hoosiers 60 and older can now register for appointments to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The Indiana Department of Health announced the expansion Tuesday.

As American healthcare workers received COVID vaccines, many were relieved and hopeful. But many doctors who are foreign-born also describe a bittersweet feeling. They worry about family and friends back home who have little access to the vaccines. And it could be a long wait -- dozens of countries still have not received any vaccine doses.

The Indianapolis City-County Council held a full meeting Monday night and started with resolutions to prioritize teachers and public transportation workers for COVID-19 vaccinations.

People of color continue to be hit hard by COVID-19. But they're being vaccinated at lower rates. Experts say mistrust is a big factor, and some groups are trying to help.

More than 5,500 vaccination appointments had to be rescheduled because of severe weather this week. And the winter storm caused delays in vaccine shipments to Indiana.

Across the Midwest, the rollout of COVID vaccines has been spotty. Lots of people are having a trouble with online signups. And vaccine demand far exceeds supply. That's made the process challenging, especially in rural areas.

Indiana is the only state in the region with no plans for when teachers will become widely eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, but the state's health commissioner says a specific group of special educators should get their shots now.

Indiana announced Wednesday it would not be extending vaccine registration to the next age group -- 60 and older -- this week. But health officials outlined what the phase after that looks like.