With respiratory illnesses on the rise throughout the state, the Will County Health Department will be hosting a vaccination clinic that offers no out-of-pocket costs for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) for infants up to eight months of age and COVID-19 vaccinations for all ages.
The clinic, on January 28, will be held from 2 – 6 p.m., at the Will County Health Department’s Community Room, 501 Ella Avenue in Joliet. The clinic is walk-in only, with no appointments offered. Anyone coming to the clinic is asked to bring a form of identification, immunization records, and insurance card (if available).
RSV/COVID Vaccinations at the January 28 Clinic
The Illinois Vaccine Access Program (IVAP), funded in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), allows the Will County Health Department to provide vaccines to all Illinois residents, regardless of insurance coverage. This means anyone can get vaccinated – whether they have insurance, don’t have insurance, their insurance doesn’t cover vaccines, or they simply can’t find vaccines due to limited availability.
IDPH’s seasonal respiratory illness dashboard currently is reporting seasonal respiratory illness at a moderate level throughout the state with COVID-19, with RSV numbers increasing. RSV in infants can lead to bronchitis, pneumonia, and hospitalization, especially in infants under eight months old.
“A baby’s first winter is when RSV can be most dangerous,” said Trish Rodarte, Immunizations Staff Nurse and IVAP Liaison for the Will County Health Department. “Vaccinating infants under eight months can prevent serious illness and hospitalizations. Through IVAP, we are removing cost as a barrier so every family can get this critical protection when their baby needs it most.”
Flu Vaccinations at the January 28 Clinic
IDPH’s seasonal respiratory illness dashboard currently puts flu cases as “high” throughout the state. Low-cost flu shots will be available at the January 28 clinic for uninsured, underinsured, and those with Medicaid, PPO Medicare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO.
Anyone with questions related to the clinic, including insurance or cost, may contact the Will County Health Department’s Immunization Clinic at 815-740-8143.