MCDH Clinics Will Focus On Second Dose Vaccine Until Shipments Increase, Phase 1B Priority Group

Press release from the McHenry County Health Department:

The McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) will need to prioritize second dose vaccine clinics due to a reduction in vaccine shipments on account of the weather and a state directive to focus on second dose vaccinations. On February 13, the State of Illinois announced that local health departments and other vaccine providers will receive a larger share of second dose vaccine to accommodate the greater number of second doses that need to be administered.

As of February 18, 2021, MCDH had 6,446 doses of vaccine on hand. Of those doses, 4,060 are earmarked for community partners (hospitals, pharmacies, community clinics and FQHCs). Clinics scheduled this week are projected to use 2,160 doses leaving just 226 doses on hand until more vaccine is delivered.

This week’s shipments have not been received. Severe weather across the country has hampered vaccine distribution, creating delays in expected shipments. The number of vaccines to be administered at next week’s clinics will be dependent on the number of doses received. MCDH anticipates emails to schedule next week’s appointments will go out on short notice pending the arrival of its vaccine allotment. Those due for their second dose vaccine are encouraged to watch for links to be sent.

As a reminder, the amount of time between when a first and second dose can be administered is a minimum of 21 days for Pfizer, and 28 days for Moderna.

Appointment cancellations can be done by calling (815) 334-4500 but you will need to wait for another link to be sent to your email to reschedule. Links that are sent to register for an appointment should not be shared, and please do not double book appointments. By doing so, you are delaying vaccination efforts in the county and are preventing someone else from receiving the vaccine. If you register using someone else’s link, you will be turned away from receiving your vaccine at an MCDH-run clinic.

The State also announced that people who are ages 16 to 64 and with high-risk medical conditions will be moved into the Phase 1b (part II), effective February 25.

Based on current vaccine allotments from the State, MCDH will continue focusing its Phase 1b vaccination efforts on 65 and older and first responders.

MCDH is administering vaccine to Phase 1a and Phase 1b priority groups and stands ready to scale up its clinic operations once the vaccine supply increases. The space at its new permanent vaccination site in McHenry will allow the Department to expand its capacity to deliver more vaccinations to substantially increase the number of people who can be vaccinated each week. Until vaccine supplies can meet the needs of those who’ve been prioritized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MCDH will continue to focus its efforts on healthcare workers, seniors and frontline essential workers.

“To be clear, we will still be providing first dose vaccinations to our 65 and older population,” said Public Health Administrator Melissa Adamson. “It’s equally important that we get folks who’ve already had their first dose the second shot they need to be fully vaccinated. With the limited supplies of vaccine we’ve received in our county, we’ve had to make very difficult decisions about how to prioritize vaccine doses. Until shipments of vaccine can accommodate our needs, we will continue to prioritize people who are most at risk for severe morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19 infection, which is our 65 and older before moving on to other subgroups within Phase 1b group.”

McHenry County residents who are in Phase 1a, 1b and 1c priority groups are encouraged to enroll to receive at an MCDH clinic by going to https://bit.ly/MCDHCovidVaccine and selecting the appropriate enrolling from. Anyone who needs assistance in enrolling or is without internet can call (815) 334-4045.

This press release was produced by the McHenry County Health Department. The views expressed here are the author’s own.