Published on January 18, 2021 2:30 PM
Last updated on 18 January 2021 at 14:30
Written by Greg Sapp
Don ‘t call … but the Effingham County Department of Health is getting ready to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine shots later this week.
We say “Do not call” because that’s not how you make an appointment to get vaccinated.
The Karen Feldkamp, health department, said they had a lead on some vaccinations in Phase 1B … first responders got their vaccinations on Saturday. Teachers received their vaccinations on Monday. Feldkamp said there was no school on Monday, and therefore teachers were vaccinated that day.
Later this week, Effingham County residents 75 years and older will receive vaccinations. Next week, those 65 and older will get vaccinations. According to Feldkamp, the initial plan of the state was that 75-year-olds and older should first get their vaccinations, but Governor Pritzker later changed the schedule to 65-year-olds. She said since so many provincial residents are falling into the demographics, the decision was to start with 75 and older and open it to 65 and older next week. The other factor was that the County does not get as much vaccine weekly.
Appointments are taken from those who want to be vaccinated. Feldkamp said it was because they did not want people to randomly show up and wait and then not get a vaccination.
The Department of Health will post information about the appointment on their website and on their 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 once the process begins, the Department of Health will conduct weekly vaccination clinics, if the vaccine is available. She said a few weeks it’s just for those who get their first shot, some weeks it’s only for those who get their second shot. There is a waiting period of 28 days between the first time and the second time. The health department will administer the Moderna vaccine.
Feldkamp reminds that there is no cost for the COVID vaccination, but you are asked to take your insurance card with you 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 the appointments will be made, and they are not ready with the appointment information yet. We will let you know by radio and online when it’s time to make an appointment.
Here is Greg’s interview with Karen Feldkamp of the Effingham County Health Department about COVID-19 vaccinations, which is expected to begin later this week …