New COVID shots will soon be available in Peoria. Here's what to know and how to get one

PEORIA - Well on its way to becoming endemic in the population, the dreaded SARS-CoV-2 virus may have lost a lot of its punch, but it's still something to be wary of.

Cases of COVID-19 have been rising in area hospitals in recent weeks, marking the beginning of COVID season in central Illinois. Fortunately, the latest vaccine is due to arrive in the next few days, and area pharmacies have already begun accepting appointments.

Who should get it? And where do you get it?

Here's what you need to know:

How is the new COVID vaccine different from the previous vaccine?

The newly approved COVID vaccine has been formulated to target the most recent variants circulating in the population. Although the variant targeted by the new vaccine is currently not the most common circulating variant, studies suggest that the vaccine will be effective against the current variants, according to USATODAY.

When will the new COVID vaccine be available in Peoria?

The new vaccine will likely be available in the Peoria area the end of this week or early next week, said Monica Hendrickson, administrator of the Peoria City/County Health Department.

“I would highly recommend that you call or look on the website of entities who provide shots before just showing up,” she said.

Where can I get a COVID vaccine in Peoria?

With the end of the public health emergency, community vaccination sites were shuttered. Now, and for the foreseeable future, COVID vaccination will be done in the same way any other vaccination gets done – by appointment in a doctor’s office, at a pharmacy, or at a public health department.

CVS and Walgreens are both scheduling appointments online for the new COVID vaccine.

Most private insurance plans pay for the vaccine. People who are uninsured or underinsured can get subsidized vaccinations by appointment at area health departments or at Heartland Health Services, a federally qualified health clinic.

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Can I get the COVID and flu vaccines at the same time?

"You are able to get the COVID and flu vaccines at the same time. There’s no counter indications on doing that, but know your body, know how you respond if you are someone who has a strong immune response,” said Hendrickson.

Since both vaccines can cause an immune response such as soreness and redness at the vaccination site, headache, fever, muscle aches or fatigue, some people may choose to get them separately.

Who should get the new COVID vaccine?

Everyone should get the new COVID vaccine, but older people, children, and people with certain health conditions will benefit the most.

“If you are high risk, I highly recommend that you prioritize getting your COVID vaccine. You want to make sure you get it now before we start getting into the high-risk season,” said Hendrickson. “But also, everyone 6 months and older should get it, partly to decrease your own severity of illness if you get it, but more importantly, to decrease your ability to transmit it to somebody else. ... Even if you are a very healthy individual and you feel like you have zero risk factors, getting vaccinated will help protect your neighbors, your co-workers and your loved ones. Because you may not know that the person you sit by at work might be going through chemotherapy.”

Has there been an uptick in COVID cases in central Illinois?

Just like last year at this time, the number of cases have increased in the last four to six weeks, said Hendrickson.

“It aligns a lot with overall respiratory illness in terms of the weather changing, people being in closer contact indoors, with returning to school, people traveling, all those things kick off our respiratory season,” said Hendrickson.

While flu season typically ramps up in November, COVID has been starting more toward the end of the summer, said Hendrickson.

According to the CDC’s surveillance map, there were 28 new COVID-positive admissions at Peoria-area hospitals in the week ending Sept. 2, up 21.7 percent from the previous week. That number includes anyone who tested positive for COVID when being admitted to area hospitals, not just people who are being admitted for severe cases of COVID, but it is still a good barometer of when cases are rising in the community.

“Overall, we are still considered at low transmission levels, but it’s something we want to make sure we monitor and understand,” said Hendrickson.

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How can I get tested for COVID?

Even before the public health emergency ended in May, free testing for COVID started to dry up.

People looking for free tests can visit testinglocator.cdc.gov, but will likely find few options.

Testing is still important, however, and Hendrickson suggests that people keep a few at-home test kits on hand in case a family member starts having symptoms.

“Those over-the-counter testing kits are great to have," she said. “That peace of mind is important because what we don’t want to do is make the assumption that you don’t have COVID, and then go to work or to school and spread it unnecessarily.”

Leslie Renken can be reached at (309) 370-5087 or lrenken@pjstar.com. Follow her on Facebook.com/leslie.renken.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: When and where to get the new COVID vaccine in the Peoria, IL area