Interim RICHD Administrator, Janet Hill, says the department started offering the flu vaccine two weeks early. That's because there are signs this flu season could be a bad one. Flu vaccinations are available to walk-ins every Tuesday.
Also, the CDC recommends everyone six months and older to get an updated COVID vaccine. Hill says the new doses are designed to fight current versions of the virus.
"Unlike previous vaccine rollouts. This one is not being paid for through the federal government. We're going through our normal Healthcare Delivery Systems and there's been some starts and stops to that. So we at the health department, do not have any vaccine available for the private pay clients at this moment."
But the health department has ordered supplies of both Moderna and Pfizer COVID vaccines. After they arrive, Hill says those who don't have health insurance should make an appointment to get one.
"So, if people do not have insurance, we can pull from those supplies once we get them, we just want to make sure that everyone gets the vaccine that they need. So charges and cost should not be a barrier."
In addition, free COVID test kits are available again. "Because allergies, the flu, just a common cold, all have similar symptoms sometimes, we want people to test to find out if they have COVID. COVID still requires a five-day isolation period, and we want people to stay home if they're sick."
Each household is eligible to receive four tests. Order HERE.
In October, the Rock Island County Health Department walk-in flu clinics will be held on Tuesdays from 9 am to noon and 1 to 4 pm. Later, when COVID vaccines are available, it will start making appointments for patients to get the Moderna vaccine on Tuesdays and Pfizer on Fridays.
Check https://www.vaccines.gov for more information about COVID vaccine availability.
The Rock Island County Health Department already has a small number of COVID test kits available, with a limit of two per household. The address is 2112 25th Avenue, Rock Island. The phone number is 309.794.7080.
