Published on January 18, 2021 2:30 p.m.
Last updated on January 18, 2021 2:30 PM
Written by Greg Sapp
Don’t call … but the Effingham County Health Department is preparing to begin administering COVID-19 vaccines later this week.
We say “Don’t call” because that’s not how you make an appointment to get vaccinated.
Karen Feldkamp of the Department of Health said she received an advance on some Phase 1B vaccinations … the first to respond received vaccinations on Saturday. Teachers were vaccinated on Monday. Feldkamp said there was no school on Monday and that is why teachers were vaccinated that day.
Later this week, vaccinations will be given to Effingham County residents over the age of 75. Vaccinations will be given to those over 65 next week. Feldkamp said the state’s initial plan was for people 75 and older to receive their vaccinations first, but Governor Pritzker later changed the program for those 65 and older. She said that since so many county residents fall into those demographics, the decision was to start at age 75 and older, then open it to people 65 and older next week. The other factor was that the county does not receive as much vaccine per week.
Appointments will be taken from those who want to be vaccinated. Feldkamp said he did not want people to show up and wait randomly and then not get vaccinated.
The health department will post information about the appointment on their website and Facebook page. Again, please do not call the Department of Health. We will also have the vaccination information on our website and Facebook page once the information is available.
Feldkamp said that once the process begins, the Department of Health will conduct weekly vaccination clinics as long as the vaccine is available. She said a few weeks, it will be only for those who receive the first blow, a few weeks will be only for those who will receive the second blow. There is a waiting period of 28 days between receiving and the second shot. The Department of Health will administer the Moderna vaccine.
Feldkamp reminds that there will be no fee for COVID vaccination, but you are required to take out your insurance card to cover the administration fee. If you do not have insurance, you will not be rejected.
Feldkamp also reminds that the Department of Health has no control over the amount of vaccine they receive.
Again, do not call the Department of Health to make an appointment, as this is not how appointments will be made and I am not ready with the online information about the appointment. We will let you know on the radio and online when it’s time to schedule.
Here is Greg’s interview with Karen Feldkamp of the Effingham County Health Department about COVID-19 vaccinations, which should begin later this week …