JEFFERSON COUNTY, IL — To further expand availability of the COVID-19 vaccine, Governor JB Pritzker announced Wednesday that three additional counties will receive state support from the Rural Vaccination Program and five new counties will receive Rapid Response vaccination teams to reverse COVID-19 trend. The State of Illinois will send additional Moderna vaccine to Marion County and provide National Guard support to Fayette and Jefferson counties, as part of the program.

The Illinois National Guard along with the Marion County Health Department will be having a first dose Moderna mass vaccination clinic on Sunday, April 25th. According to the Marion County Health Department, the clinic will be held at the Centralia Moose Family Center located at 1824 S. Poplar Street. This clinic is for any Illinois resident that is 18 years or older. In order to participate, call the Marion County Health Department at 532-6518 to find out how to register.

The Fayette County Health Department will be conducting a Drive-Thru Clinic vaccination clinic on Monday, April 26th at the Fayette County Health Department, 416 W Edwards St. Vandalia for 1st and 2nd doses of the Moderna brand shot.

The National Guard will also be assisting the Jefferson County Health Department and Southtown Family Center will host a walk-in Moderna Clinic on Tuesday, April 27th. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or until there are no more doses available at the Southtown Family Center at 1108 South 15th Street in Mt. Vernon. You do not need to be a resident of Jefferson County and the Vaccine is free. As the clinic will be held indoors, they are asking that everyone please come wearing a face mask and maintain social distance. Call the Jefferson County Health Department at (618) 244-7134 if you have any questions.

These clinics will allow the local health department to vaccinate an additional 600 residents in each county.