Knox County COVID and Vaccine Clinic Update

The Knox County Unified Command is announcing 101 new cases of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), between Monday, June 27, 2022, and Tuesday, July 5, 2022. According to Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) the total positive cases in Knox County is 13,673. Due to federal privacy restriction, release of any additional information is prohibited.

The Health Department will offer Curbside COVID-19 Testing this week on Friday from 8:30 am –11:30 am weather permitting. Appointments are made same day by calling 309-344-2225 beginning at 7:15a.m. Additionally, health care providers in the community are offering testing options as well as local pharmacies.

The Knox Community Health Center will be at the following locations handing out free at home self-test COVID-19 Kits & N95 masks while supplies last. Limit two test kits per household and a limit of three N95 masks per person. Self-test COVID-19 Kits & N95 masks will be available at the Knox Community Health Center Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Knox County Health Department is following the IDPH, Food and Drug Administration’s, and CDC’s recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines.

Primary and First Booster Shots

· The Pfizer COVID-19 primary vaccine is authorized for infants 6 months of age and up. Adolescents 5 years and older are recommended to get a first booster shot at least five months after completing the primary vaccine series.

· The Moderna COVID-19 primary vaccine is authorized for anyone 6 months of age and older. Adults 18 years and older are recommended to get a first booster shot at least five months after completing the primary vaccine series.

Second Booster Shots

· Second Booster shots of Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for individuals aged 50 and older at least 4 months after the initial booster vaccine.

• Second Booster shots of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for Children and teens ages 12-17 years who are moderately or severely immunocompromised at least 4 months after initial booster vaccine.

COVID-19 vaccines are widely available, each clinic offers primary series, additional doses first boosters and second boosters of Moderna for adults 18 and up and Pfizer boosters for those 5 years and up. Pfizer and Moderna primary, infant, pediatric and adolescent series is available to those 6 months of age and up. Registration links can be found at www.knoxcountyhealth.org

Credible sources for information about COVID-19 include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov/coronavirus and Illinois Department of Public Health www.dph.illinois.gov. 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 or email covid19@knoxcountyhealth.org.