February 11, 2021 – The Macon County Health Department has released the following statement regarding their updated scheduling process:
“The Macon County Health Department (MCHD) promised that we would continue to learn by implementation and subsequently adapt our processes as necessary while we work to serve our community and end the COVID-19 pandemic.
During this time, we have done just that while also learning from our community partners and our counterparts across the state. In our initial attempts to provide equitable opportunity for all persons to schedule appointments by opening slots at a specified time, our systems became overwhelmed and were not able to function at the level we desired. Moving forward, in hopes of alleviating an inundation of these systems, the MCHD will begin adding vaccination opportunities to our website on an ongoing basis.
Eligible community members, i.e. those who live or work in Macon County (or their family, friends or caregivers helping with the registration process), will be able to check for available slots at their leisure and schedule if/when they find an opening that works for them. We are also assigning more employee phone lines to scheduling tasks to hopefully cut down on wait times in the calling process.
Those who do not have computer or internet access will be able to call (217) 718-6205 to schedule an appointment via the vaccination line Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. except on holidays. If appointments are available, people will be scheduled. We cannot guarantee when appointments will be open, as our allocation and shipments differ each week. We have been and will continue to provide phone-in only appointments and 65+ only clinics. Those who plan to attend a clinic should:
• Bring a work ID badge or current paystub to verify frontline essential worker status or a form of ID to verify age to prove eligibility (Those who cannot provide proof of residency or employment in Macon County will be turned away);
• Bring a copy of your insurance card. If you have Medicare, be sure to bring your red, white, and blue Medicare card, even if you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan. If you are unable to make a copy, please bring the original;
• Wear a short sleeve shirt and face covering; Macon County Health Department 1221 E. Condit St • Decatur, IL 62521 (217) 423-6988 • www.maconcountyhealth.org livewell@maconchd.org
• Complete vaccine forms, print, and bring them to the clinic to save time. The vaccine forms can be found by visiting maconcountyhealth.org. If you are unable to complete and print the forms, they will also be available on site;
• Be prepared to complete the MCHD screening process upon arrival. This process includes answering questions as well as a temperature check;
• Be prepared to wait 15-30 minutes for monitoring after receipt of vaccine.
Please understand that vaccine administration will be taking place over the course of several months as we work incredibly hard to vaccinate every eligible person who wishes to receive it. We will hold clinics on a regular basis and our community partners will also be announcing clinics as they plan them. We will continue to work with community partners to hold clinics and vaccinate eligible individuals as quickly as we can.”
