Get flu vaccines for kids at McHenry Co. health department

McHenry County Department of Health has received its seasonal flu vaccine for children through the state-funded Vaccines for Children Program.

Flu clinics have been scheduled, by appointment only, at the Crystal Lake office at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon and 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6; 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13; 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon and 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20; and 4 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at MCDH's Annex B building on the Government Center campus in Woodstock.

The VFC is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's largest public-private partnership, ensuring that all eligible children receive the benefits of newly recommended vaccines, thereby strengthening immunity levels in their communities. Eligible children include those from 6 months of age to 18 years accompanied by parent or guardian, all kids/Public Aid recipients, families without insurance and underinsured families, that is, insurance doesn't cover vaccinations, whose children are medically at-risk as defined above.

Proof of current immunization is required. Medicaid is accepted; for non-Medicaid, the cost is $12. FluMist, an intranasal form of the vaccine, is available for children age 2 and older. To make an appointment, call MCDH at (815) 334-4536.