Rockford Getting 2nd Mass Vaccination Site, Health Officials Say

Trying to get a COVID-19 vaccination in Winnebago County is a very difficult task to accomplish. Having another mass vaccination site will be a big help.

Two things I know for certain, when it comes to trying to get vaccinated:

1. Hurry up and get registered on the Winnebago County Health Department's website

2. Be incredibly patient

In fact, that's exactly what Dr. Sandra Martell, the Public Health Administrator with the Winnebago County Health Department, said during a recent press event.

No matter what phase the vaccination process is in, getting an appointment is standing in the way. Even with Walgreen's and CVS pharmacies offering COVID vaccines, finding an available appointment time is next to impossible. Even starting every morning with a visit to their website's appointment scheduler and hitting refresh every couple of minutes, doesn't prove to be regularly successful. It did just work for my sister-in-law, but even she has been at it every morning for nearly a month.

News of a possible new mass vaccine site, similar to the one in the old K-Mart building on Sandy Hollow Road, comes at a great time. Health officials are working to open the additional vaccine site at the New Zion Baptist Church, just off of W. Riverside Blvd., near Springfield Ave., according to wrex.com. No other details were given about this second site, but Dr. Martell says officials hope to have it open by the end of March.

The City of Rockford and Walgreens partnered to give vaccines at Ellis Elementary School, this past weekend. Due to its success, Dr. Martell said the county is hoping to do more 'pop up' vaccination sites.

LOOK: Answers to 30 common COVID-19 vaccine questions

While much is still unknown about the coronavirus and the future, what is known is that the currently available vaccines have gone through all three trial phases and are safe and effective. It will be necessary for as many Americans as possible to be vaccinated in order to finally return to some level of pre-pandemic normalcy, and hopefully these 30 answers provided here will help readers get vaccinated as soon they are able.

Steve Shannon is host of The Steve Shannon Show on 97ZOK. On the air weekday mornings from 6 to 10 a.m. and a special 'Rewind' show, featuring favorite moments from previous shows, on Saturday mornings from 5 to 7 a.m.. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and like his page on Facebook.