Fewer Federal Funds Forces Arlington Heights to Cancel Immunization Clinic

The village of Arlington Heights Health Services Unit has cancelled its Feb. 18 Community Partnership Immunization Clinic due to a decrease in federal funds for the clinic, according to a village of Arlington Heights press release. 

The clinic has been providing vaccines for children under the age of 19 years old on a monthly basis since 1998, according to the news release. 

The Illinois Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently announced it would no longer be able to provide the vaccines for the under-insured population as of Jan. 1, 2013, according to the news release. 

"Unfortunately, 87 percent of the children seeking vaccine administration from the Community Partnership clinic are included in the under-insured category," according to the Arlington Heights press release. "For those under-insured, vaccines are available at many local pharmacies."

The village of Arlington Heights is currently in communication with the CDC and IDPH "to obtain 'deputization,'" which is required to allow the Community Partnership Immunizations Clinic to serve the under-insured population, according to the news release. 

The village encourages those who typically receive immunizations through the clinic to look into receiving a vaccine from federally qualified health centers, rural health centers or certified local health departments, such as the Cook County Department of Public Health.

For those with no insurance, area clinics still in operation include the Cook County Department of Public Health in Rolling Meadows (847-818-2860), Hoffman Estates Village Hall (847-781-4850), and Elk Grove Village Hall (847-357-4240). For those needing immunization summary records, please call Arlington Heights Health Services at 847-368-5760.

Source: Village of Arlington Heights