Because of predicted cold temperatures, the weekly Covid vaccine clinic run by Rock Island County Health Department for Tuesday, Feb. 9, will be inside the TaxSlayer Center, 1201 River Drive, Moline.

Vaccine distribution priority groups are Phase 1A and Phase 1B in Illinois, and the health department typically has a Tuesday drive-through clinic at Greater Quad City Auto Auction, 4015 78th Ave., Milan.

Next Illinois Q-C Covid Vaccine Clinic Will be at TaxSlayer Tuesday, Feb. 9

The QC Covid-19 Coalition offers many resources at togetherqc.com.

Those seeking their first dose may visit the RICHD Facebook page or website at 10 a.m. each Friday for a link to reserve an appointment. Those seeking their second dose may visit the same sites at 11 a.m. each Friday for a link to reserve an appointment.

The department has schedule on its website to help eligible residents plan for their first and second doses in February and March.

Because of the short supply of vaccines across the country, CDC researchers have determined that people can wait up to 42 days between doses for both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Moderna’s minimum wait is 28 days before the second dose while Pfizer’s is 21 days.

You must have a confirmed time slot to receive a vaccination at the RICHD clinics. Clinics time slots are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and must be reserved in advance. As always, all clinics are dependent on weather and vaccine supply for the week.

“We ask for your patience as we move through the largest public heath undertaking in modern history,” said Nita Ludwig, the health department administrator. “We have a plan to vaccinate every eligible resident in Rock Island County, but it will take time. Your turn will come. Please continue to wear your mask, keep 6 feet between you and others and wash your hands frequently.”

As of Feb. 4, 298 residents of Rock Island County have died due to Covid-19, compared to 186 Covid-related deaths in Scott County.

Option for seniors without a computer

The RICHD is using an internet-based registration system to make this mass vaccination effort work as well as possible. They have a partnership with Alternatives for the Older Adult so that adults 65+ can call into a resource center to get on a list for available slots. They can be reached at 309-277-0167.

Next Illinois Q-C Covid Vaccine Clinic Will be at TaxSlayer Tuesday, Feb. 9

The push is on to vaccinate as many people as possible against Covid.

After most Rock Island County older adults have been fully vaccinated, Alternatives with join with the Quad Cities Open Network to help people younger than 65 who do not have access to a computer or internet to sign up for the vaccine.

Because of the short supply at this point, the CDC researched how long the second dose could be delayed so that as many people as possible can get the first dose to receive at least partial protection from the virus. Researchers have determined that 28 days is the minimum interval for the second dose for Moderna and 21 days for Pfizer and that people can wait up to 42 days for both vaccines.  If the second dose is administered beyond these intervals, there is no need to restart the series.

The health department has a system that will allow people to get their second dose at our mass vaccination clinics without having to compete with people wanting their first dose. Both doses will be given at the same clinics. They are limited to about 800 doses per clinic because they are sharing vaccine allotment from the state with partners at Community Health Care, Jewel-Osco and Hy-Vee. Most weeks, they have 1,600 doses, but hope soon that the Illinois Department of Public Health will be able to give more doses.

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People seeking a first dose need to visit the RICHD Facebook page or website, richd.org, at 10 a.m. each Friday for a link to the first-dose clinics. A second link will be posted at 11 a.m. each Friday for those who need to second dose. The second dose might not be exactly 28 days later, but it will be within 42 days. This is the schedule through the end of March:

First dose given First availability* for second dose and number of slots
Jan. 12 Feb. 9: 450 first dose slots and 350 second dose slots
Jan. 19 Feb. 16: 300 first dose slots and 500 second dose slots
Jan. 19 Feb. 23: 400 first dose slots and 350 second dose slots
Feb. 2 March 2: 300 first dose slots and 500 second dose slots
Feb. 9 March 9: 350 first dose slots and 450 second dose slots
Feb. 16 March 16: 500 first dose slots and 300 second dose slots
Feb. 23 March 23: 350 first dose slots and 450 second dose slots
March 2 March 30: 500 first dose slots and 300 second dose slots

*Can receive up to 42 days after second dose, per CDC

“We understand that this system is not perfect, but until vaccine supply increases significantly, we, unfortunately, are forced to work in an imperfect system,” according to the health department. “We appreciate your patience and know we’ve asked for it a lot already. Please know

Next Illinois Q-C Covid Vaccine Clinic Will be at TaxSlayer Tuesday, Feb. 9

You can take these simple steps to help end the pandemic.

we are doing the best we can to complete our mission of preventing disease, promoting wellness of mind and body, protecting public health and preparing for emergencies.”

People should NOT call the health department to schedule your time slot. At this time, the only way to reserve a dose for the mass vaccination clinics is online.

If you do not get a slot, do not come to Milan auto auction on Tuesdays because they will not have vaccine to give you. You will be turned away at the entrance unless you have preregistered. Please bring your photo identification or other proof of identity.

Vaccine allotments coming into Rock Island County remain low. Any allotment of doses to Rock Island County must be distributed between the mass vaccination clinics and partners that also are vaccinating people in Phases 1A and 1B. These include UnityPoint-Trinity, Genesis, Community Health Care, and Jewel-Osco.

At this point, UnityPoint-Trinity, Genesis and Community Health Care are focused on vaccinating groups in Phases 1A and frontline essential workers in 1B.

As a reminder, Illinois is vaccinating Phase 1A (healthcare workers) and Phase 1B: frontline essential workers. Proof of identity, age and employment eligibility will be required to receive the vaccine.

To check area pharmacy clinics, visit:

Scott County Covid vaccination update

Vaccine distribution priority groups are also Phase 1A and Phase 1B in Iowa. Residents may register to receive Scott County Health Department vaccine updates via email.

Scott County Health Department (SCHD) will schedule weekly vaccination clinics for people 65 and older at the former Sears store at NorthPark Mall. SCHD will not host a clinic for this group the week of Feb. 8 because it did not receive an allocation of the type of vaccine

Next Illinois Q-C Covid Vaccine Clinic Will be at TaxSlayer Tuesday, Feb. 9

The Scott County and Rock Island County health departments are partnering with many organizations to offer Covid vaccines.

used at the clinic.

  • SCHD will determine each Tuesday whether there will be a public clinic for people 65 and older the following week based on the amount and type of vaccine received.
  • If a clinic is scheduled for the following week, appointment sign-ups will go live at 9 a.m. Wednesday at immunize.scottcountyiowa.gov.
  • Those without computer access may call the Center for Active Seniors (CASI) at 563-386-7477 for assistance.

The Iowa Department of Public Health announced Feb. 3 that a one-time, additional allocation of Covid vaccine will be available for people 65 and older at select Walgreens locations in Scott County. Eligible residents may schedule an appointment online.

SCHD is also beginning to vaccinate people in Phase 1B – Tier 1. Appointments for people in this group will be scheduled through their employers. Not all members of a priority group or a tier will be able to receive a vaccine immediately.

  • Eligibility: pre-kindergarten-12 staff, early childhood educators, childcare workers and first responders (police, fire, DHS)
  • SCHD and Genesis Health System are vaccinating pre-K-12 education staff as many schools prepare to return to fully in-person learning in the coming weeks. Those qualifying in this group WILL NOT need to reach out to SCHD to get an appointment.

The current Scott County vaccine phase includes people ages 65 and older, and the following populations vulnerable to high risk of exposure or severity of illness (listed in order of priority):

Tier 1

  • First Responders
  • PK-12 staff, early childhood education, childcare workers

Tier 2

  • Frontline essential workers in food, agriculture, distribution, and manufacturing sectors who live or work in non-social distanced settings
  • Individuals with disabilities living in home settings and their direct care staff

Tier 3

  • Staff and individuals living in congregate settings not covered by previous Phase or Tier
  • Government officials, including staff, engaged in business at the State Capitol

Tier 4

  • Inspectors responsible for health, life and safety

Tier 5

  • Correctional facility staff and individuals incarcerated

For more information, visit www.scottcountyiowa.gov/health/covid19/vaccine. For Rock Island County, visit http://richd.org. For overall Q-C vaccine resources, visit https://togetherqc.com/vaccination/.

Next Illinois Q-C Covid Vaccine Clinic Will be at TaxSlayer Tuesday, Feb. 9
Jonathan Turner has been covering the Quad-Cities arts scene for 25 years, first as a reporter with the Dispatch and Rock Island Argus, and then as a reporter with the Quad City Times. Jonathan is also an accomplished actor and musician who has been seen frequently on local theater stages, including the Bucktown Revue and Black Box Theatre.
Next Illinois Q-C Covid Vaccine Clinic Will be at TaxSlayer Tuesday, Feb. 9

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