WCHD Offers 2023-2024 COVID-19 Vaccine

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The Whiteside County Health Department (WCHD) will begin offering the updated
2023-2024 Moderna (SPIKEVAX) COVID-19 vaccines by appointment only starting Wednesday, October 18, 2023. To schedule an appointment, call the WCHD Immunizations at 815-626-2230, and choose option 3.

We currently have vaccine available for
1. children ages 6 months to 18 years old with Medicaid or who are uninsured
2. all adults, including those with Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance coverage
3. uninsured adults eligible for free vaccine through the CDC’s Bridge Program.

WCHD has not yet received vaccine for children with private insurance but is working directly with Moderna. We hope to be able to offer those vaccines soon.

COVID-19 vaccines were updated to the (2023-2024 formula) on September 12. The updated formula includes a monovalent (single) component that corresponds to the omicron variant XBB.1.5 of SARS-CoV-2. The formula was updated to provide better protection against COVID-19 caused by circulating variants.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone aged 6 months and older be vaccinated for COVID-19. Most individuals who previously completed or started their vaccine series will simply need one dose of the updated, 2023-2024 formula.

Unvaccinated individuals will simply complete a series as normal.

For more information on CDC’s recommendations for “Staying Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines,” visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html.