McLean County Health Department to Host Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics for Bloomington-Normal Resident

The McLean County Health Department (MCHD) just hosted their second of three walk-in clinics for the month of October this past Monday.

While flu viruses spread year-round, the rate at which people receive the flu increases exponentially between December and February.

MCHD suggests that Bloomington-Normal residents get their vaccines as soon as possible, preferably in October.

Jamie Anderson, clinic nurse manager at MCHD, explained why people should get these shots every year.

“The reason we get the flu and Covid shots annually is because those viruses that caused those mutate very quickly,” Anderson said. “So the strains that caused the most illness last year might not be the ones that caused the most illness this year, so we recommend that people get those annually, both of them, so that your body knows what to do once you are exposed. It takes about two weeks for the antibodies to build after you get your vaccination.”

She also stated that there has been an outbreak in the Bloomington-Normal area before.

“Yes, there definitely has been a large outbreak in the past,” Anderson said. “Unfortunately, I think everybody remembers 2020 and the awful effects of Covid at that time and there definitely is always more flu at this time of year. During the winter time, everybody’s indoors and we’re all in close contact, so people tend to get sicker more often at this time of year.”

MCHD came up with a list of recommendations for those living in Bloomington-Normal to take seriously.