More than 78% of DeKalb County seniors are now fully vaccinated, health officials report

More than three-fourths of DeKalb County seniors are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to a Friday announcement by local health officials.

According to the health department’s weekly newsletter, 78.4% of seniors age 65 and over in DeKalb County have been fully vaccinated, and the health department has administered as of Thursday over 29,500 doses of vaccine.

Come Monday, all Illinois residents 16 and older will be eligible for vaccine, and as a result the health department has added clinics to help with distribution, according to a Friday newsletter.

Pfizer is the only vaccine available to those 16 and 17, while Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are for those 18 or older. If you are under 18 and have signed up for a Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the newsletter states, you will be turned away on site. If you are 16 or 17, you must register for the Pfizer clinics only.

Those who have already received their first dose are reminded to sign up for their second dose if they haven’t already, the health department stated. For those who received the Moderna vaccine, guidance states the second dose should be administered after 28 days. For Pfizer, that guidance is 21 days between doses.

Health officials also remind those getting vaccinated to bring their COVID-19 vaccine card with them to their second appointment. The card will be given out at the first dose appointment at the Convocation Center.

Appointments through the Northern Illinois University Convocation Center are available on a first come-first serve basis and can be made using the health department’s online vaccine scheduler or by calling 815-748-2401.