To collect a $300 incentive, 71 percent of Indianapolis Public Schools staff has reported receiving COVID-19 vaccinations, district officials said.

The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for emergency use in kids 12 and older in mid-May. On Nov. 2, the CDC added its approval for 5- to 11-year-olds.

Indiana officials said Wednesday that the state should be able to immediately inoculate a third of children ages 5 to 11 as preparations are made to expand Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for the age group if the federal government gives it approval.

The U.S. has secured more doses than the country's COVID-19 vaccine needs. But around the world, millions of people have no access to vaccines in their home countries. And that makes some people travel thousands of miles to get a shot here in the U.S. if they can afford it.

Deferred doctors visits during the pandemic have left kids across the country behind on routine inoculations.

Communities across the state are weighing what COVID-19 health and safety measures to continue this summer and into the fall, as the governor's mask requirement for schools expires at the end of June.

As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues, some researchers say the country has hit a plateau in the number of people receiving the shot. Finding time off work to get vaccinated can be a barrier for many.

Indianas State Health Commissioner, Dr. Kris Box said federal officials recently told the state to prepare for initial shipments as early as next month.

Pharmaceutical companies are scrambling to develop an effective COVID-19 vaccine and receive FDA approval. In the meantime, states are finalizing plans to distribute the vaccine -- and overcome potential challenges.

The Indiana State Department of Health released its interim draft on Tuesday and -- similar to other states -- will follow a phased approach. The department says the first recipients of a COVID-19 vaccine will be healthcare workers.