The Whiteside County Health Department (WCHD) will begin offering the updated 2023-2024 Moderna (SPIKEVAX) COVID-19 vaccines by appointment only starting Wednesday, October 18th.
We currently have vaccine available for children ages 6 months to 18 years old with Medicaid or who are uninsured and all adults, including those with Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance coverage as well as 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 and hope to be able to offer vaccine to children with private insurance soon.
To schedule an appointment call the WCHD Immunizations at 815-626-2230 and choose option 3.
COVID-19 vaccines were updated to the (2023-2024 formula) on September 12th, 2023. 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 1 dose of the updated 23-24 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:
https://www.cdc.gov/