National Guard To Help Speed Up Vaccine Process In McHenry Co.

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — The Illinois National Guard is coming to McHenry County to help get more vaccines into more arms here.

Two teams from the national guard, a mobile team and a fixed team, will assist the McHenry County Department of Health for six to eight weeks. The teams should be in McHenry County by the end of March, according to a news release from the health department.

The mobile team will head out to help vulnerable, under-served and at-risk populations and businesses. The local health department used public health data to determine these "hard-to-reach residents" who are in need of a coronavirus vaccine, according to the news release.

The targeted approach is meant to get shots to those with poor health outcomes associated with COVID-19 infections and to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks in businesses.

The fixed team will provide support at the health department's mass vaccination clinic at a former Kmart building, 1900 N. Richmond Road in McHenry.

“The presence of the Illinois National Guard does not guarantee our COVID-19 allotments will increase, but with the extra manpower, with each team consisting of six vaccinators and twelve support staff, we can expect to increase our vaccination capacity and move through the Phase 1b priority group quicker,” said MCDH Public Health Administrator Melissa Adamson.

McHenry County residents and those who work in the county interested in receiving vaccine should enroll and indicate their interest. To receive a vaccination at an MCDH-run clinic, you can enroll online at https://bit.ly/MCDHCovidVaccine or call the COVID-19 Call Center if you are without internet or need assistance enrolling.

More information about pathways to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in McHenry County is available on COVID-19 Vaccine Location page: https://bit.ly/MCDHCOVIDVaxLoc.

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