The Knox County Unified Command, in partnership with Galesburg Cottage Hospital, Knox County Health Department and OSF St. Mary Medical Center have organized three COVID-19 vaccination clinics for Knox County residents 65 years of age or older.
The Knox County Unified Command COVID-19 Vaccine Center will offer Walk-In COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics for Phase 1B residents 65 years and older who reside in or work in Knox County. COVID-19 vaccinations for seniors will be available on a first come, first serve basis starting on Thursday, January 21st and Friday, January 22nd during the hours of 8:30 a.m. through 2:30 p.m. at the Farm Bureau Building, 180 S. Soangetaha Rd., Galesburg, IL 61401.
Galesburg Cottage Hospital Infection Control Team will begin vaccinating patients on a walk-in basis starting Thursday, January 21st and Friday, January 22nd during the hours of 8:00 a.m. through 11:00 a.m. and from 1:00 p.m. through 4:00 p.m. The clinic will be located in Suite 106 of the Cottage Medical Office Building at 834 N. Seminary St., Galesburg. The Cottage clinic is restricted to those age 65 plus and a resident of Knox County, or a Cottage patient age 65 plus residing in another county but enrolled with a Cottage Clinics’ medical provider. A legal State of Illinois ID is required as are masks, social distancing, and adherence to posted clinic rules. Entrance by vehicle to the clinic parking lot is restricted to North Kellogg Street. Vehicles exiting the clinic parking lost must do so onto North Seminary Street.
OSF HealthCare St. Mary Medical Center will be offering vaccinations to a select group of their patients who are over the age of 65. OSF will be proactively contacting patients who are eligible for the first round of COVID vaccinations. OSF patients will be contacted by the clinics team via OSF MyChart, email or letter. OSF clinics will be by appointment only, no walk-in or drive-up available.
The vaccination is free. Individuals will need to wear a face covering and plan to allow at least 15 minutes for observation after the vaccination. Please limit the number of individuals in your party that are not receiving the vaccine and wear clothing to allow easy access to the upper portion of the arm for the injection. For residents with health issues and mobility issues, a yet to be scheduled drive thru clinic is being planned.
“This is the second wave of our response and we did not come to this decision lightly, reports Michele Gabriel, Public Health Administrator. “We feel it is necessary to immunize our elderly population first as they are at a higher risk from this virus. The Unified Command understands that Phase 1B is a large group and that every group within it is very important to our community.” “We ask for your patience as we make every effort to provide vaccines to Knox County Residents.”
“The COVID-19 vaccine is a critical tool to safely reach the other side of this pandemic. Through efficient and effective distribution of the vaccine, we can suppress the spread of the virus, save as many lives as possible, and begin to rebuild our economy,” states Gabriel. “The details of distribution locally will be released from the Knox County Unified Command as we move through Phase 1B in the upcoming days and weeks. As we move forward, it is critical that we all continue to follow public health recommendations to suppress the spread of the virus.”
Moderna is a two-dose series that is 90-95 percent effective after both vaccinations with the second dose at 28 days later as directed by the manufacturer. Individuals will receive a vaccination record card with their return date for the second dose.
The vaccine does not contain a live virus and you cannot get COVID from the vaccine. Some people may develop side effects from their body building immunity which includes soreness at the injection site, fever, headache or body aches. Symptoms should resolve in 24-48 hours. The body takes several weeks to build immunity so people could be infected just before receiving the vaccine or shortly after so continuing proven infection prevention measures is important. Continue to wear a mask, socially distance, wash hands frequently, and stay home if you are sick.
Credible sources for information about COVID-19 include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov and Illinois Department of Public Health www.dph.illinois.gov. The following webpage, http://gis.ci.galesburg.il.us/COVID, is the official source of information on COVID-19 numbers for Knox County. For general questions about COVID-19, call the hotline at 1-800-889-3931, email dph.sick@illinois.gov or call your Knox County Health Department at 309-344-2224.
***Report Courtesy of the Knox County Health Department***
