Phase 1B vaccinations begin later this week in Effingham County

Don’t call … but the Effingham County Health Department is getting ready to give the COVID-19 vaccinations later this week.

We say: “Don’t call”, because that is not how you make an appointment for a vaccination.

Karen Feldkamp of the health department said they’ve gotten a head start with some Phase 1B vaccinations … emergency responders got their vaccinations on Saturday. The teachers received their vaccinations on Monday. Feldkamp said there was no school on Monday, so teachers were vaccinated that day.

Vaccinations will be given later this week to residents of Effingham County 75 and older. Vaccinations will be given to people over 65 next week. Feldkamp said the state’s original plan was for those 75 and older to get their vaccinations first, but Governor Pritzker later changed the schedule to those 65 and older. She said that since so many of the county’s residents fall into that demographic, the decision was to start at 75 and over and open it up to 65 and over the following week. The other factor was that the province does not get that much vaccine every week.

Appointments are made of those who want to be vaccinated. Feldkamp said that’s because they don’t want people to randomly show up and wait, and then not get a vaccination.

The health department will post appointment information on their website and on their Facebook page. Again, please do not call the health department. We will also have the vaccination details on our website and Facebook page as soon as the information is available.

Feldkamp said once the trial begins, the health department will hold weekly vaccination clinics as long as vaccine is available. She said it is a few weeks only for those getting their first injection, and a few weeks only for those getting their second injection. There is a waiting period of 28 days between your first admission and your second admission. The health department will administer the Moderna vaccine.

Feldkamp recalls that there is no charge for the COVID vaccination, but you must bring your insurance card to cover the administration costs. If you do not have insurance, you will not be rejected.

Feldkamp also recalls that the health department has no control over the amount of vaccine they receive.

Again, do not call the health department to make an appointment as this will prevent the appointments from being made and they are not ready with the appointment information online. We will let you know via radio and online when it is time to make an appointment.

Here’s Greg’s interview with Karen Feldkamp of the Effingham County Health Department about COVID-19 vaccinations, expected to begin later this week …