Randolph County vaccinating everyone over 16

The Randolph County Health Department has opened up eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine to residents 16 and over.

The county is offering the Moderna vaccine. Until Tuesday morning it was also offering the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine but has pulled that in light of recent questions about blood clots.

To schedule an appointment locally, call theRandolph County Health Department or one of the three hospitals.

Chester Memorial Hospital, (618) 826-4581 ext. 1339. Call M-F 8 a.m.-4 p.m. or visit www.mhchester.com/covidvax.

Red Bud Regional Hospital, (618) 282-5165 or www.redbudanytime.com. Call M-Th. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. or F-Sun. 8-11 a.m.

Sparta Community Hospital, (618) 443-1DOC. Call M-F 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Randolph County Health Department, (618) 826-5007, Option 8. Call M-F 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Regional clinics

Jackson County: Carbondale Civic Center and the Banterra (formerly SIU) Arena. Sign up for an appointment atwww.jchdonline.org.

St. Clair County: Belle Clair Fairgrounds is open to all individuals who live or work in Illinois, as long as they meet current vaccination criteria. Schedule appointments at www.co.st-clair.il.us/Departments/Health-Department/COVID-19-Information.

Sparta Walmart Pharmacy: Register online at https://www.walmart.com/cp/1228302.

The local hospitals and health care providers along with the health department will work diligently to vaccinate those who seek the vaccine as long as the supply can meet the demand.

Residents are asked not to schedule multiple appointments.

Current numbers

As of Monday, Randolph County reported:

4,098 confirmed cases since pandemic began.

16 active cases (0 in hospital, all recovering at home).

3,997 individuals released to resume normal activity.

85 deaths.