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.

The Food and Drug Administration approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for use in kids ages 12 and older in mid-May. We asked members of the Indiana Two-Way and the Midwest Checkup for their questions and concerns about kids receiving the vaccine. To join the Indiana Two-Way text Indiana to 73224, and to join the Midwest Checkup, text health to 73224.

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.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older, pregnant women, people age 65 and older, and people with certain chronic medical conditions.

If the vaccine is distributed to each state based on its share of the U.S. population, Indiana might receive only 300,000 doses initially for its 6.7 million residents.

State health officials are urging Hoosiers to get a flu shot this fall. The recommendation is an effort to keep flu numbers low during the coronavirus pandemic.