Marion County Health Department Administrator Melissa Mallow says the health department has received a $165,800 grant to continue providing COVID-19 mass vaccination clinics.
Mallow told the health board Tuesday night the grant extends a $150,000 grant awarded to cover mass clinics during the past year.
“Covid 19 mask vaccination grant will allow us to offer the various vaccine clinics we do for the public. For the 1st, 2nd doses and booster shots and we are starting to do the Pfizer pediatrics for the children.”
Mallow says with the new variant and jump in number of cases vaccinations have also picked up.
“For the first or second dose people can walk in anytime to the Salem office and we will give them the 1st or 2nd dose of Moderna, J&J, the booster shots. We have been very successful with our clinics at the Salem office, they are constantly full. We do those by appointment only. And so far the clinic we have for the children is about half full.”
The clinic for children between five to 11 years is set for next Tuesday at the Salem office. It is by appoint only by calling the Salem office of the Health Department at 618-548-3878. No walk ins will be allowed.
Mallow reported that through Tuesday, there had been 35,925 COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Marion County. 15,360 county residents are now fully vaccinated which is 40.83-percent of the county’s population. In Marion County, 2.29-percent of five to 11 years have been vaccinated, 20.71 of the 12 to 17-year-olds, 41.84-percent of those 18 to 64, and 76.97-percent for those 65 years and older. Statewide, 18.6-million COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered.
Mallow also reported they continue to give the free BINAX NOW test kits to long-term care facilities, schools, and the Marion County Jail.
Mallow has not yet been notified of any positive tests for the new omicron variant of COVID-19. Samples are tested at random by the state to determine the COVID-19 variant.
