ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (October 31, 2022) — The Rock Island County Health Department (RICHD) will hold its last 2022 walk-in flu vaccination clinic on Tuesday, November 1, during the same time as the ongoing Moderna COVID-19 vaccine clinic. The CDC advises that everyone six months and older can get the COVID-19 primary vaccine or booster and the flu shot at the same time.
Appointments to get the flu vaccine will remain available by calling 309-794-7080. The flu vaccine is available for everyone age six months and older. All RICHD walk-in flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinics are open from 9AM-12PM and 1-4PM. Moderna is offered on Tuesday, and Prizer is offered on Friday at the health department, 2112 25th Ave, Rock Island. For those 65 and older, the high-dose flu vaccine is available.
Both the Moderna and Pfizer bivalent Omicron boosters can be given if it’s been at least two months since the patient’s previous dose or competition of the primary series (first and second doses). The CDC says patients can take either the Pfizer or Moderna booster vaccines, no matter which brand they had during the primary series or previous boosters. At this time, only those six years and older can get the Moderna bivalent booster; those five years and older can get the Pfizer bivalent booster. A special appointment-based clinic for children ages six months to four years is held every Wednesday for both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Pfizer is offered in the morning, and Moderna is given in the afternoon. Call 309-794-7080 to make an appointment.
“Across the state, the Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting earlier-than-usual and higher hospitalizations for flu and COVID-19,” said Janet Hill, public information officer of the Rock Island County Health Department. “Getting vaccinated is our best protection against severe illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths due to either flu or COVID-19.”
Everyone six months and older is recommended to get the seasonal flu vaccine, just as everyone six months or older should get the COVID-19 vaccine. The flu season typically begins in October and peaks between December and March. The flu is a contagious respiratory illness that can cause mild to severe illness. Serious cases of flu can result in hospitalization or death.
As in past years, there is no out-of-pocket expense to those with Medicare Part B or an Illinois Medicaid card. Most Blue Cross, UnitedHealth Care, Health Alliance, Aetna, Coventry/First Health, HFN, HealthLink, and Humana insurance plans are accepted. Please bring all insurance cards with you to the clinic. Insurance coverages change frequently, so please check with your insurance carrier to make sure your flu shot is covered. For those not using insurance, the cost is $35. High-dose vaccines for seniors are $55 without insurance. Visa and Mastercard will be accepted. For more information, call the health department at 309-794-7080.
Both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines also are available at our healthcare and pharmacy partners. To find locations and appointment times, visit vaccines.gov.
RICHD vaccination clinics at a glance
- Times: 9AM-12PM and 1-4PM for all clinics
- Tuesdays: Moderna and flu vaccines (last walk-in flu clinic is November 1). Everyone six years and older for primary Moderna series and bivalent booster.
- Wednesdays: COVID-19 clinics by appointment for children ages six months to four years. Pfizer is offered in the morning, and Moderna is given in the afternoon. The flu vaccine is also available.
- Fridays: Pfizer. Everyone five and older for primary series and bivalent booster.
- Weekdays: Appointments for flu vaccine for those five and older.
