COVID-19 News Update
NOVEMBER 12, 2021
WILL COUNTY EQUITY
HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
National Hook-up of Black Women (NHBW) Joliet
The National Hook-Up of Black Women, Inc. Joliet Chapter is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable community service organization dedicated to improving the lives of families through support of the arts, culture, health, education, and human services programs. Under the leadership of Debra Upshaw, President, NHBW Joliet “champions initiatives improving the quality of life for the family” and are partners and recipients of the WCHD COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Grant. As part of the effort to meet needs, educate, and vaccinate our communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, NHBW has distributed PPE, medication, food boxes, provided COVID-19 education and vaccinations, as well as healthy eating and active living information. On the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of every month, they distribute COVID-19 educational materials in English and Spanish through their Labor of Love Food Pantry. During the months of September and October, they reached over 1600 individuals through COVID-19 vaccinations and education efforts. Their outreach efforts have included the 60433-zip code and School Districts 70C and 204. All programs are provided to the community free of charge. Learn more about NHBW Joliet: https://www.nhbwjoliet.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/NHBWJoliet/. Thank you to these community champions! We are grateful for your partnership.
updated Sports Policy for schools
This guidance issued by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) pertains to all youth recreational sports, including, but not limited to, school-based sports (high school and elementary school), travel clubs, private leagues and clubs, recreational leagues and centers, and park district sports programs. This guidance does NOT pertain to adult recreational sports, professional sports leagues, or college division level sports. This guidance supersedes all previously issued All Sports Guidance issued from IDPH and/or ISBE.
Download our Full PDF & Frequently Asked Questions documents by clicking below.
5-11 Pediatric Pfizer Vaccination
The Illinois Department of Public Health has Adopted CDC recommendations for the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine for children ages 5-11
Will County Pediatric Pfizer (ages 5-11) Vaccine Providers
Pediatricians, Pharmacies, Federally Qualified Health Centers, Will County Health Department and other community partners will be providing Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine to children ages 5 to 11.
Tips to help calm vaccination fears for children
Make a Plan
Talk with your child before their appointment about what to expect.
Don't Lie
Avoid tricking or misleading your child about what to expect.
Stay Calm
If a parent is nervous or stressed it can affect the child so it is important to stay calm.
Bring a Toy
A toy can help comfort and distract a nervous child.
COVID-19 VACCINE:
BOOSTER DOSES
Moderna
Booster Dose
WHO IS ELIGIBLE:
- Individuals 65 of age and older
- Individuals 18+ who live in long-term care settings
- Individuals 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
- Individuals 18+ who live in high-risk settings
- Individuals 18+ who work in high-risk settings
- First responders
- Education staff
- Food and agriculture workers
- Manufacturing workers
- Corrections workers
- U.S. Postal Service workers
- Public transit workers
- Grocery store workers
DOSAGE:
½ dose
WHEN ARE YOU ELIGIBLE:
At least six-months after the initial two-dose series was administered
WANT TO SWITCH BRANDS?
Yes, you can receive a single booster dose of Moderna as long as you completed a one or two-dose series with a different COVID-19 vaccine.
Pfizer
Booster Dose
WHO IS ELIGIBLE:
- Individuals 65 of age and older
- Individuals 18+ who live in long-term care settings
- Individuals 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
- Individuals 18+ who live in high-risk settings
- Individuals 18+ who work in high-risk settings
- First responders
- Education staff
- Food and agriculture workers
- Manufacturing workers
- Corrections workers
- U.S. Postal Service workers
- Public transit workers
- Grocery store workers
DOSAGE:
Full Dose
WHEN ARE YOU ELIGIBLE:
At least six-months after the initial two-dose series was administered
WANT TO SWITCH BRANDS?
Yes, you can receive a single booster dose of Pfizer as long as you completed a one or two-dose series with a different COVID-19 vaccine.
Johnson & Johnson
Booster Dose
Individuals 18 years and older
DOSAGE:
Full Dose
WHEN ARE YOU ELIGIBLE:
At least two-months after a single dose primary vaccination was administered
WANT TO SWITCH BRANDS?
Yes, you can receive a single booster dose of Johnson & Johnson as long as you completed a two-dose series with a different COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 VACCINE:
THIRD DOSE
FOR IMMUNOCOMPROMISED
Third COVID-19 Vaccine Doses for People who are Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised.
A Third dose is NOT a booster dose!
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended the Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for both the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine to allow a third dose to be administered to people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised following a primary mRNA vaccine series.
Subsequently, CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended that people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems receive a third dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 weeks after their second dose, for a total of three doses. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky endorsed those recommendations. See the full CDC Media Statement here.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR A THIRD DOSE OF COVID-19 VACCINE?
Currently, CDC is recommending that moderately to severely immunocompromised people receive an additional dose. This includes people who have:
- Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
- Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
- Advanced or untreated HIV infection
- Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response
If your condition or medication isn’t on this list and you think you have a weakened immune system, talk to your healthcare provider about your medical condition and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate.
Individuals can self-attest and receive the third dose wherever vaccines are offered. This will help ensure there are not additional barriers to access for this vulnerable population receiving a needed third dose.
WHEN ARE YOU ELIGIBLE
The third dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine should be the same vaccine as the initial series and administered at least four weeks after completing a primary mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series.
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR IMMUNOCOMPROMISED INDIVIDUALS
While vaccination is likely to increase protection in this population, even after vaccination, people who are immunocompromised should continue follow current prevention measures (including wearing a mask, staying 6 feet apart from others they do not live with, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces) to protect themselves and those around them against COVID-19 until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider.
Contact Tracing
Contact Tracing is being used by all 97 local health departments and IDPH Surge Center to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Contact tracing involves:
- Reaching out to people with COVID-19 to identify everyone they had close contact with during the time they may have been infectious
- Notifying contacts of their potential exposure
- Referring those contacts for testing
- Monitoring contacts for signs and symptoms of COVID-19
- Connecting contacts with services they might need to remain at home during the self-quarantine period
- If you receive a call from a contact tracer, the phone number should read 1-312-777-1999 COVID CONTACT.
- Please answer their calls or return their calls in a timely manner so we can all help to slow the spread of COVID-19.
- The Contact Tracing Phone number (1-312-777-1999) is the same across the State of Illinois. The system is programmed to match the phone number of an incoming call to a specific case record so the caller can be routed to the assigned Case Owner in the virtual calling system.
- If the inbound call is unable to be routed to an available Contact Tracer, the caller has the option to leave a voicemail.
- For more information on Contact Tracing, visit this link https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19/data/contact-tracing.html
- For more information on Isolation and Quarantine Guidelines, visit this link https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19/community-guidance/isolation-quarantine.html
- For more information on FAQs for schools, visit this link https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19/community-guidance/school-guidance/school-guidance-faqs.html
*Please Note: Will County Health Department Contact Tracers do not need your social security, or payment information to perform contact tracing, our staff will NEVER ask for payment, and/or credit card information of any kind.
Click a link below to schedule your first dose vaccine online.
Second dose appointments will be made at time of the first dose appointment. If you need to schedule a second dose appointment, you must call 815-774-7386.
PFIZER HAS FULL FDA APPROVAL FOR THOSE AGES 16+
The Food and Drug Administration granted full approval to Pfizer-BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine for people 16 and up, making it the first to move beyond emergency use status in the United States.
Schedule an Appointment Online or Call to Schedule your Vaccination at a Will County Health Department Vaccination Clinic.
815-774-7386
County Level COVID-19 Risk Metrics
Hospital Resource and COVID Patient Data
Vaccinations By Zip Code
County Level COVID-19 Community Transmission Data
Cases: 7 Day Total
1,068
Cases: Total Per 100K
154.62
Positivity Rate
3.55%
Pop-Up Vaccine Clinics
University Park Library
1100 Blackhawk Dr., University Park
November 12th from 11am to 4pm
Fossil Ridge Public Library
386 West Kennedy Road, Braidwood
November 13th from 8AM to 4PM
Pfizer Only!
Homer Township Public Library
14320 W. 151st St, Homer Glen
November 13th from 10AM to 2PM
Joliet Moose 300 Family Center
25 Springfield Ave, Joliet
November 13th from 8AM to 1PM
Joliet Community Care Fair
Mt. Zion Baptist Church
402 Singleton Place, Joliet
November 13 from 11am to 3pm
Join Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and Christ Pantry Joliet for the first “Joliet Community Care Fair” Saturday, November 13, 2021, 11a.m.-3p.m., at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 402 Singleton Place, in Joliet.
This community health and enrollment event will feature fresh produce and poultry for the first 500 families (while supplies last) maternal health and community resources, NO COST flu shots and COVID-19 vaccines. Meet recruiters for our exciting job opportunities and Blue Bear our Health & Wellness Ambassador.
Blue Cross Community Health Plan and HealthChoice Illinois (Medicaid) resources will also be available.
Pop-Up COVID-19 Vaccination Event Request
Do you want to host a Pop-Up COVID-19 Vaccination Event?
VACCINES FOR HOMEBOUND
Do you know someone who is interested in receiving a COVID vaccine who is unable to get out of the house due to medical limitations?
Consider applying for our homebound vaccination program through the Will County Health Department! Click the link to apply, and we will follow up with you as soon as we can! We want to get everyone vaccinated, especially those who are most at-risk and homebound.
REQUEST A NEW COVID-19 VACCINE RECORD CARD OR ALTERNATIVE FORM OF THE VACCINE RECORD FROM WILL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
Use this two-sided English/Spanish form to: request a new COVID-19 vaccine record card; to have your COVID-19 vaccine record corrected; or to request an alternative form of the COVID-19 vaccine record. Requests will be filled within 72 business hours. Please plan additional time if your record is mailed via US Postal Service.
GET ACCESS TO YOUR VACCINATION RECORDS ELECTRONICALLY, THROUGH THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH’S VAX VERIFY SYSTEM
ATTENTION WILL COUNTY PARENTS/GUARDIANS OF
5-11-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN
Will County Health Department is planning for the expansion of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign efforts to include the 5-11-year-old age group. We are looking for feedback from Will County parents/guardians regarding their plans for vaccinating their 5-11-year-old children. Please complete this short survey:
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
the importance of the annual flu shot
Influenza (flu) severity varies from year to year, but flu always brings serious consequences. The prevention of influenza and its associated consequences is important every year. Although the effectiveness of the flu vaccine can vary, overall the vaccine markedly lowers the risk of influenza-related illness, hospitalization, and death.
The COVID-19 pandemic means preventing influenza during 2020–21 is more important than ever. Influenza and COVID-19 share many symptoms. Preventing influenza means fewer people will need to seek medical care and testing for possible COVID-19 or influenza. And increasing flu vaccination uptake saves healthcare resources for COVID-19 and other conditions.
Our Progress
Over 57% of the population in Will County Are Fully Vaccinated!
Total number of vaccines administered
877,666
11/12/21
Total complete doses
400,297
11/12/21
57.82%
of population fully vaccinated
Demographic Breakdown
RACE/ETHNICITY
%
WHITE
538,962
%
HISPANIC
122,418
%
BLACK
83,723
%
ASIAN
64,599
Age
Ages 5-11
- 2,803 0.319%
Ages 12-17
- 77,105 8.79%
Ages 18-64
- 602,871 68.7%
Ages 65+
- 194,869 22.2%
Gender
Female
- 469,788 53.5%
Male
- 405,817 46.2%
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR DAILY VACCINE CLINIC UPDATES
An easy way to stay updated on vaccine clinic hours and availability of appointments is to follow the Will County Health Department on Facebook. We post each morning the locations that are open that day for appointments and walk-ins.
Click here to visit our page and then follow/like us!
COVID-19 Questions?
Our team of Customer Service Representatives are ready to help answer any question.
Call our COVID-19 Call Center at:
815.774.7386
The call center can help…
- Schedule, Reschedule or Cancel your COVID-19 Vaccination Appointment through the Will County Health Department
- Find a COVID-19 Vaccination Location near you
- Find a COVID-19 Testing Location near you
- Answer basic COVID-19 questions:
• Information on available COVID-19 Vaccinations
• General COVID-19 Vaccine related guidelines
• Where to locate guidelines on the CDC website - Sign up for the Will County Health Department Weekly Newsletter
- Obtain Proof of COVID-19 Vaccinations
Call Center Hours of Operations:
Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM