The Mercer County Health Department (MCHD), in partnership with Genesis Health Group, Aledo, will begin Phase 1b clinics beginning the week of January 25. The Clinics at the MCHD will be open to all who fall in Phase 1b, while Genesis will focus on current patients who are 65 years of age and older. Due to the limited number of vaccines being shipped weekly, only a limited number of appointments will be available. Vaccines will be by appointment only and walk-ins will not be be accepted.
Phase 1B will include frontline essential workers and residents age 65 and over. The frontline essential workers designation includes many residents who carry a higher risk of COVID-19 exposure because of their work duties, often because they are unable to work from home, and/or they must work closely to others without being able to socially distance. This includes first responders, education, food and agriculture, manufacturing, corrections workers and inmates, USPS workers, public transit workers, grocery store workers and staff at shelters and day cares. (http://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/vaccine-distribution )
“We anticipate this phase taking several weeks as there are potentially more than 5000 county residents who are eligible in Phase 1b”, states Carla Ewing, Administrator, “We know we will be holding multiple clinics weekly to get the vaccine to as many as want it. We are thankful for the partnership with Genesis Health Group to get this endeavor underway and completed as soon as we possibly can.”
The Mercer County Health Department will begin scheduling for any county resident who falls in the Phase 1b category. Please call the Mercer County Health Department to schedule your appointment at 309-582-3759.
GHG Aledo Clinic will be scheduling vaccination appointments for their patients who are 65 plus. Please call the clinic if you would like to be scheduled at 309-582-9450.