Saturday's torrential rains did not stop people from coming out to the COVID-19 mass vaccination clinic in Macomb.
Ben Thompson, Emergency Response Coordinator for the McDonough and Schuyler County Health Departments, said they inoculated more than 400 people.
“Today (Saturday) has gone really smooth. Other than the rain, which I think has deterred some people, it’s been going great,” Thompson said.
The clinic was open to people who live and/or work in McDonough and Schuyler counties.
They received the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Thompson said they had enough vaccines for up to 500 people. He said the leftovers will be stored in a refrigerator and used either during regular vaccination clinics at McDonough District Hospital’s Health Services Building 1 or during another mass clinic.
Saturday’s clinic was held at the former Farm King building. Thompson said Farm King, MDH, McDonough County ESDA, Lifeguard Ambulance Service, and the Macomb Police Department all helped make the clinic possible.
“It’s the whole community coming together to do it,” he said.
Inoculating Students
UPDATE: See our related story from Tuesday, April 13.
The Illinois National Guard will oversee two clinics this week at Western Illinois University campus.
The clinics will take place Wednesday, April 14, and Thursday, April 15, at the Spencer Student Recreation Center, from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. both days.
Vaccinations will be administered free of charge.
“The primary focus of those clinics is to vaccinate Western Illinois University students along with Spoon River College students,” Thompson said. “Cases are increasing among that age group. We want to get them vaccinated before they go back home at the end of the semester.”
He said the single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine will be administered during those clinics. “This way we’re guaranteed that they’re fully vaccinated before they go home.”
Meanwhile, the McDonough County Health Department will offer vaccines on Thursday to students age 16 and older at Bushnell-Prairie City and West Prairie High Schools and on Friday at Macomb High School.
The two-dose Pfizer vaccine will be used for those clinics. It’s the only COVID vaccine approved for use on those who are ages 16 or 17.
Henderson County Clinic
UPDATE: This clinic has been canceled while federal health authorities investigate the possiiblity of dangerous blood clots occuring in some people who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The Henderson County Health Department will hold a walk-in clinic for COVID-19 vaccinations. It’s scheduled for Wednesday, April 21, 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the health department’s building in Gladstone. The single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be administered.
The Henderson County clinic is open to all Illinois residents. The registration form can be found on the health department’s website.
Bring a photo ID and insurance card. There is no cost for the vaccination.
Tri States Public Radio produced this story. TSPR relies on financial support from our readers and listeners in order to provide coverage of the issues that matter to west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. As someone who values the content created by TSPR's news department please consider making a financial contribution.
