Latest Information on COVID-19 Vaccines

MACOMB, Ill. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently granted full approval for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 16 and over. The vaccine is the first COVID-19 vaccine to go beyond the emergency use status in the United States.

The Pfizer vaccine continues to be available under emergency use authorization for children ages 12-15 and for the administration of a third dose for certain immunocompromised individuals. More than 200 million Pfizer doses have already been administered in the United States since the emergency use began in December.

McDonough District Hospital will offer a third Pfizer dose to immunocompromised individuals at its primary care clinics (Family Clinic, Pediatrics, Bushnell Family Practice, and Convenience Clinic), emergency room for patients prior to discharge, and to inpatients prior to discharge.

COVID-19 vaccine clinic set for September 2:

The McDonough County Health Department and MDH will hold a COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Thursday, September 2, at the old Farm King building. The event will run from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. All three vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson) will be available for a first dose or a Pfizer third dose for those immunocompromised. Please bring a photo ID and your insurance card if available. No appointment is necessary.

MDH and County leaders will continue to meet and create future plans for mass vaccination clinics if/when other COVID-19 vaccines receive full approval and a third dose booster is approved.

What is the Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine?

Also in the announcement, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will now be marketed as Comirnaty, for the prevention of COVID-19 in individuals 16 years of age and older. The FDA-approved Comirnaty and the Emergency Use Authorized Pfizer-BioNTech have the same formulation and can be used interchangeably to provide the COVID-19 vaccination series.

Can I get any brand for a third dose?

People who received a Pfizer vaccine for their first and second dose are the only ones who can receive a third dose of Pfizer.

I had a first and second dose of the Moderna vaccine, do they have a third dose availability?

No, at this time Moderna does not have Federal approval for a third dose option. Moderna recently submitted final paperwork to the government for full approval consideration. A ruling could be announced in the coming weeks.

Should I get vaccinated if I have already had COVID?

Yes. If you have received a treatment for COVID-19, you must wait 90 days before receiving your first vaccination dose.

Is it too late to get my first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine?

No, it is not too late to receive your first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Where can I get a first dose COVID-19 vaccination?

MDH offers COVID-19 vaccinations at their primary care clinics (Family Clinic, Pediatric Clinic, Bushnell Family Practice, and Convenience Clinic), OB/GYN clinic, and for inpatients and emergency room patients before they discharge.

How much does the vaccine cost?

You will not be charged for a COVID-19 vaccination, but please bring a Photo ID and your insurance card (if available).

Is a Moderna or one dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine available at MDH?

Contact the MDH clinic you are going to visit and ask if there are doses for Moderna or Johnson & Johnson available.

For the latest news update, log on to www.MDH.org or click on the MDH COVID-19 resources website link within the green alert bar at the top of the homepage.