
McHenry County’s first COVID-19 mass vaccination site to discontinue offering vaccinations
MCHENRY COUNTY – The McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) announced that starting Sep. 25, the COVID-19 mass vaccination clinic—formally the site of a Kmart store and later a Sears Essential store—located at 1900 N. Richmond Road in McHenry, will no longer offer COVID-19 vaccinations but will continue COVID-19 testing.
MCDH had first announced the county’s first mass vaccination clinic’s opening on Feb. 19, repurposing the building that had been vacant for 12 years.
The clinic offered vaccinations by appointment only to begin, but as vaccine supply increased throughout the county, walk-in vaccinations became available.
Now that COVID-19 vaccines are more widely available through various locations throughout McHenry County, including at most retail pharmacies, MCDH deemed it unnecessary to continue to offer vaccination services at the 87,000-square-foot building.
BET Investments provided the building for MCDH to use as a local vaccine dispensing site, however, the City of McHenry still was responsible for paying for the restoration of the property and other utilities, according to a memorandum agreement signed on Feb. 8.
To find a location providing COVID-19 vaccinations, individuals can visit vaccines.gov.
“Immunity caused by infection of the virus is limited in its protection against COVID-19. One recent study suggests that you are twice as likely to get reinfected if you are unvaccinated,” said Dr. Laura Buthod, MD and medical advisor for MCDH in a Sep. 23 press release. “Vaccines are a safe and effective way of preventing infection and reducing the risk of severe illness caused by COVID-19, so protect yourself and those you love by getting vaccinated.”
For assistance in registering for a COVID-19 vaccine, individuals may call MCDH’s COVID-19 Call Center at 815-334-4045. McHenry County residents who need assistance with transportation to a vaccination appointment can call the Call Center to be connected to transportation services.
