McHenry Co. Health Dept. asks Phase 1B and 1C residents to enroll for COVID-19 vaccine

The McHenry County Department of Health in Woodstock is encouraging those identified in Phase 1B and Phase 1C complete a COVID-19 vaccine enrollment form.

Vaccine enrollment will be used by the health department to determine the vaccine needs for those identified in the Phase 1B and Phase 1C groups. After completing the enrollment form and once a clinic becomes available to each group, additional information on how to schedule an appointment will be directly emailed to those who complete the form.

The health department continues to vaccinate individuals who are in the priority Phase 1A group but is preparing for future COVID-19 clinics for those identified in Phase 1B and Phase 1C. If you are in the Phase 1A group and have not yet enrolled yourself or your staff, please complete and submit the form found at redcap.link/hcpvaccine.

For Phase 1B and Phase 1C enrollment, a point of contact from each organization, an independent contractor not affiliated with an organization, anyone 65 years or older or anyone with a high-risk condition is encouraged to enroll by completing and submitting the enrollment form found at redcap.link/mcdh_phase_1b_1c_vaccine_enrollment.

Phase 1B includes the following industries and individuals:

• Anyone 65 years of age or older

• First responders: 9-1-1, fire, law enforcement, security personnel, school officers

• Education: teachers, principals, student support, student aids, day care workers

• Food and agriculture: processing, plants, veterinary health, livestock services, animal care

• Manufacturing: industrial production of goods for distribution to retail, wholesale or other manufactures

• Corrections workers and inmates: prison/jail officers, juvenile facility staff, workers providing in-person support, inmates

• U.S. Postal Services workers

• Public transit workers: flight crews, bus drivers, train conductors, taxi drivers, in-person support, ride sharing services

• Grocery store workers

• Shelters/adult day care: homeless shelters, adult day/drop-in program, sheltered workshop.

Phase 1C includes the following industries and individuals:

• Persons aged 16 to 64 years old with medical conditions that increase the risk for severe COVID-19 (conditions include obesity, diabetes, pulmonary disease, heart condition including hypertension, kidney disease, cancer, immunocompromised, sickle cell and pregnancy)

• Transportation and logistics

• Water and wastewater

• Food service

• Shelter and housing (e.g., construction)

• Finance (e.g., bank tellers)

• Information technology and communications

• Energy

• Legal

• Media

• Public safety (e.g., engineers)

• Public health workers

Anyone who does not have access to a computer or the internet is encouraged to watch local media outlets to find out when their group is eligible to schedule their vaccine appointment by phone.

Those receiving their vaccine at a health department clinic will need to bring current identification and proof of their employment (employment badge, paycheck stub, state licensure or certificate) if applicable. If proof of employment is not provided at the time of your appointment, the health department reserves the right to deny you the vaccine.

The McHenry County Department of Health will only see those who arrive at the time of their scheduled appointment and provide verification of their scheduled appointment that will be provided by the electronic registration system upon successful scheduling of your appointment.

There is a 15-minute observation period after receiving the vaccine. This is common practice to ensure no adverse reaction after introducing a new vaccine into the body.

"Our team has been busy vaccinating, and we are close to moving on to Phase 1B," said MCDH Public Health Administrator Melissa Adamson. "We will need to further prioritize within the Phase 1B group, but we will make sure everyone who is interested in receiving the vaccine will have the opportunity to do so before moving on. Please be patient and enroll to ensure that you are getting the information you need to schedule an appointment for yourself or those in your organization."

For more information about COVID-19 vaccine distribution in McHenry County and for links to Phase 1B and Phase 1C vaccine enrollment, visit bit.ly/MCDHCovidVaccine.