Hoosiers 45 and older can now register for appointments to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, the Indiana Department of Health announced Tuesday.

Indiana officials announced Wednesday theyre cracking down on clinics that are vaccinating Hoosiers for COVID-19 who are not eligible under the states guidelines.

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.

Preliminary totals from the Indiana Department of Health show nearly 77,000 died in the state last year -- an increase of almost 11,000 from 2019.

The Indiana Department of Health will run a commercial during Sunday's Super Bowl emphasizing the importance of COVID-19 precautions and getting the vaccine.

Indiana health officials have lowered the risk level for coronavirus spread in more of the state's counties, leaving only five rural counties in the most dangerous category.

The Trump administration's failure to produce a national stockpile of the COVID-19 vaccine is preventing Indiana from moving its vaccine distribution plan further forward.

Registration opened to Hoosiers aged 80 and older on Friday, which represents about 4 percent of the population.

The 2-1 ruling was made last month by an Indiana Department of Health administrative panel, but the panel didn't immediately explain the rejection.

IDEM and the State Department of Health say they don't see the need for testing in more homes or schools, at this time.