MERCER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES CHANGES IN COVID-19 TESTING

(January 3, 2022, ALEDO, IL) Mercer County Health Department (“MCHD”) announced changes in the drive through procedures for the COVID-19 testing clinics that will become effective immediately.  The changes are as follows:

• Testing clinics will run from 8:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 8:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Friday mornings. 

• There will be no further need to call MCHD for an appointment.  All testing will be drive through ONLY on a first come, first serve basis as long as our testing supply allows.

• Due to high community transmission rates and increase in testing numbers, please anticipate waiting in line for extended periods of time.

• All appointments made previously are still welcome to test at our clinics on a first come, first serve basis. 

Carla Ewing, Administrator, explains, “We have seen a marked increase in the number of individuals who are arriving at our testing site with no appointment.  We simply do not have the capacity with our staffing or physical set up to ensure that those with appointments are served in the time in which they set their appointment.  Additionally, with the increase in individuals testing on a daily basis, this is the most expedient manner in which to serve as many individuals as possible while keeping our staff safe during inclement weather and ensuring that we keep our testing results accurate during our clinics.”

MCHD expects the number of individuals who test to increase over the next several weeks. Ewing adds, “We added a Friday morning testing period to potentially alleviate some of the long waits we are seeing throughout the week. As of 3:15 p.m. today, we have tested over 130 individuals, with 40 being positive. We also have a line of cars for two blocks wanting to be tested.  We want to assist as many Mercer County residents as we possibly can with our clinics and hope that Fridays will help in this endeavor.  We will run these Friday testing clinics through the month of January and then evaluate the ongoing need at the end of the month.”

COVID-19 THIRD DOSE INFORMATION

A third dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine or the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine administered at least 28 days following the first two primary doses of these vaccines is authorized for administration to individuals at least 18 years of age (for Moderna) or 5 years of age (for Pfizer) who have undergone solid organ transplantation, or who are diagnosed with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise.

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Who Needs an Additional COVID-19 Vaccine?

Currently, CDC is recommending that moderately to severely immunocompromised people receive an additional dose. This includes people who have:

• Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood

• Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system

• Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system

• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)

• Advanced or untreated HIV infection

• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response

People should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them.

COVID-19 BOOSTER INFORMATION

COVID-19 Boosters are now available at the Mercer County Health Department for: 

• Those 18 and older who received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least 2 months ago - it is recommended that these individuals receive one of the mRNA vaccines for their booster dose (either Pfizer or Moderna)

• Those 18 and older who received their second dose of a Moderna vaccine at least 5 months ago

• Those 12 and older who received their second dose of a Pfizer vaccine at least 5 months ago
  
  

For those 18 and older, we may provide a different type of COVID-19 vaccine as a booster than was initially given for those who have a preference, but it is recommended that it be one of the mRNA vaccines - Pfizer or Moderna.  (At this time only Pfizer is available for those under age 18.)

COVID-19 VACCINE INFORMATION

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The Mercer County Health Department is now offering COVID-19 vaccinations to anyone 5 years of age or older who is either an Illinois resident or works in Mercer County, IL. 

For vaccine availability please watch our Facebook for updates or call to schedule your appointment 309-582-3759.

VACCINE REGISTRATION FORM

Save time when you come in to receive your COVID-19 vaccine by printing and filling out the registration form below. Please bring this form with you to your scheduled appointment. Any mailed in forms will be shredded.

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If you are unable to print the form prior to your appointment or if you forget it, we will have forms available at the time of your appointment. 

MODERNA VACCINE INFORMATION

Want to know more about the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine? Click below.

JOHNSON & JOHNSON JANSSEN'S VACCINE INFORMATION 

Want to know more about the Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine? Click Below.

PFIZER VACCINE INFORMATION (AGES 12+ ONLY)

Want to know more about the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine? Click Below.

PFIZER VACCINE INFORMATION (AGES 5-11 ONLY)

Want to know more about the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine? Click Below.