Rock Island County Health Department Chief Nursing Officer Tracy Keenon says anyone can drop by from 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, starting Sept. 10th, to receive a flu vaccine.
She says that residents must schedule an appointment on all other days. According to Keenon in a press release, children ages six months to 11 years old will need an appointment as the flu vaccine requires extra time for this age group.
In an email response to WVIK, Keenon says the department offers Fluzone for those aged six months to 17 and Flublok for those over 18 and below 64. The final flu vaccine is Fluzone, a high dose for residents 65 years and older.
Keenon states that most insurance plans are accepted and that residents should bring their cards with them. They advise double-checking with their insurance providers prior to coming to the clinic.
Once the COVID-19 vaccines are delivered to the department, the department will offer them, specifically the Moderna 2024/2025 formulation. Keenon says residents need to schedule an appointment to receive the Moderna vaccine.
If residents are uninsured or underinsured, the department can work with families and individuals through programs to waive the vaccine fee. If the applicant is eligible, those programs can receive the Flulaval vaccine if the applicant is under 18 years old and the Fluarix vaccine if the applicant is over 18 years old. The department advises people to call 309-794-7080 to see eligibility and schedule children's flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
Otherwise, those not using insurance without intervention can pay $66 for both adult-use flu vaccines and $35 for the kid flu vaccine.
The health department says anyone over six months of age is encouraged to get the flu vaccine.
A Newsweek article using CDC wastewater data shows very high levels of COVID-19 in wastewater in 31 states. As of August 29th, Illinois data shows high COVID levels in the state's wastewater system.
The walk-in clinic on Tuesdays will continue until October 22nd.
