COVID-19 News Update
MARCH 25th, 2022
WILL COUNTY EQUITY HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
WHAT IS HEALTH EQUITY?
“Health Equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
There are many factors that are not within a person’s control that can impact their health and overall quality of life. These factors are referred to as “Social Determinants of Health (SDOH).” According to the CDC, “social determinants of health such as poverty, unequal access to health care, lack of education, stigma, and racism are underlying, contributing factors of health inequities.” The conditions in which we live, work, learn, play and worship can have a major impact on our health. The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted already vulnerable populations and has intensified and exposed existing disparities in health care delivery and accessibility around the country. As we continue to navigate the impact of the pandemic and look toward our post-pandemic environments, public health providers such as the Will County Health Department and Community Health Center, continue to strive to achieve health equity in the delivery of our programs and services. This starts with gaining an understanding of the unique challenges that our residents are facing. To this end, we highly encourage all Will County residents to complete the 2022 Will County Community Survey to gather your thoughts about the health and quality of life in our community. Residents can take the survey here:
English
CLICK HERE
Spanish
CLICK HERE
Beginning April 1, 2022, the WCHD COVID-19 vaccination clinic will be open as follows:
Tuesdays: 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
501 Ella Ave., Joliet, IL 60433
OUR HOURS HAVE CHANGED BUT WE ARE STILL HERE FOR YOUR COVID-19 VACCINE
Schedule an Appointment Online or Call to Schedule your Vaccination at a Will County Health Department Vaccination Clinic.
815-774-7386
COVID-19 NEWS BRIEFS
IDPH Updates for Schools
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) issued new guidance on March 22, fully adopting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools. This newest release supersedes all prior COVID-19 school guidance documents and applies to all public and nonpublic schools that serve students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 (pre-K-12). This information can be found on our website.
Pfizer and Moderna Seek 4th Dose Approval
Pfizer and Moderna are requesting authorization for a 4th dose COVID-19 booster. Pfizer’s request includes a 4th dose for individuals age 65 and older who have received an initial booster of any authorized vaccine. Moderna is requesting authorization for a 4th dose for individuals 18 years and older who have received an initial booster of any authorized vaccine.
The FDA announced it will hold a meeting of its Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBAC) on Wednesday, April 6, to discuss future COVID-19 vaccination applications but the committee will not discuss any product specific application nor will it vote on any future authorized use.
Test and Treat
Recently, the Biden administration has introduced a program that provides COVID-19 access to testing and treatment at many local pharmacies and FQHCs. The program, titled Test to Treat, provides one-stop-shop access to COVID-19 testing and treatment recommendations by a licensed healthcare provider, making treatment immediate and convenient upon a positive diagnosis. Swift diagnosis and treatment is crucial for those who are at risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Treatment options for individuals who test positive for COVID-19 may include oral antiviral therapeutics, Paxlovid and Molnupiravir. More details can be found here.
More COVID-19 information including scheduling vaccinations can be found on our WEBSITE.
Secure Your Vaccination Card
How important is your vaccination card? It is part of your medical record. It may be needed to travel and to gain entry into businesses or social venues. It may be required for your employment record. Keep it in a secure and accessible place as you would your state ID. Bring it with you when getting any additional COVID-19 vaccinations so it can be updated.
Vax Verify
Want your vaccination record on your smartphone? The Vax Verify immunization portal now offers the SMART™ Health Card. The SMART™ Health Card allows users to download a QR code and access your vaccination record from your Smartphone.
Over the past two years, COVID-19 has understandably overshadowed the operations of the Will County Health Department. During this time, all the functions of our health department continued to operate, although in a modified manner; in person visits may have been replaced with a phone call or video connection. Picking up supplies or documents may have been completed with a quick hand-off.
As we monitor the declining COVID-19 community levels with both excitement and caution, we eagerly prepare to return to our usual duties and service to Will County residents, without the cloud of COVID-19 directing our decisions and actions.
This upcoming change shifts our attention from COVID-19 to directing our resources based on the needs of the county and the WCHD strategic plan. Some initial changes will include:
- Reshaping the WCHD website to create comfortable and easy access to useful WCHD resources.
- An end to the WCHD COVID-19 mass vaccination clinics.
- Transitioning COVID-19 needs such as immunization (vaccinations) and contact tracing into existing WCHD departments.
- Specifically, we will be closing our current WCHD COVID-19 clinics sometime in April, however, we will continue to offer COVID-19 vaccinations by appointment through our immunization department and community health center.
- Encouraging the residents of Will County to utilize the vast resources available within the health department.
- An invitation to visit and witness the usefulness and function of our new building that the residents of Will County have provided.
- An updated resource guide, available in English and Spanish, outlining WCHD programs and services and including how to access services.
A silver lining from this pandemic is that the awareness of public health has been revived. In her opening letter for the 2020 Annual Report, Will County Health Department Executive Director, Susan Olenek stated, “this past year has put public health at the forefront of our lives. Recommendations public health has been making for decades are now common mantras.” Over the past two years, our relationship with county residents has been greatly expanded. We encourage individuals to maintain that connection for the benefit of their health and that of the greater Will County community.
MISSION OF THE WILL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
To prevent disease and promote a healthier environment for all residents, business operators, and visitors. Our agency of professionally trained staff work cohesively to assure public health and safety measures are maintained through services and programs the department provides based on the needs of the community.
ROLES WITHIN THE LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Source: National Association of County and City Health Officials
Pop-Up Vaccine Clinics
Beecher 200 U
660 Penfield St, Beecher
March 26th from 9am to 1pm
Adult & Pediatric Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson Clinic
Plainfield Public Library District
15025 S Illinois St, Plainfield
March 26th from 11am to 3pm
Adult & Pediatric Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson Clinic
St. Peter's Lutheran Church GYM
310 N Broadway St, Joliet
March 26th from 10am to 3pm
Adult & Pediatric Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson Clinic
Joliet Public Library Black Road Branch
3395 Black Rd, Joliet
March 26th from 11:30am to 3:30pm
Adult & Pediatric Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson Clinic
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
15120 W Wallin Dr, Plainfield
March 27th from 9am to 3pm
Adult & Pediatric Pfizer, & Moderna Clinic
Our Progress
Over 65% of the population in Will County Are Fully Vaccinated!
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
390
Cases: Total Per 100K
56.46
Positivity Rate
1.89%
Total number of vaccines administered
1,155,034
3/24/22
Total complete doses
455,320
3/24/22
65.77%
of population fully vaccinated
Demographic Breakdown
RACE/ETHNICITY
%
WHITE
703,649
%
HISPANIC
170,762
%
BLACK
114,970
%
ASIAN
94,447
Age
Ages 5-11
- 47,646 4.14%
Ages 12-17
- 97,620 8.48%
Ages 18-64
- 775,556 67.4%
Ages 65+
- 230,607 20%
Gender
Female
- 613,373 53.3%
Male
- 536,551 46.6%
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!
