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COVID-19 News Update

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

Governor Pritzker Issues An Executive Order which extends the requirement for vaccination or testing for two weeks, effective September 19

This extension will allow those mandated in this order additional time to secure testing for their staff.  The vaccination mandate extension is for healthcare providers, school personnel in K-12, and higher education staff and students.

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.

The importance of pregnant women being vaccinated

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people aged 12 years and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future. Pregnant and recently pregnant people are more likely to get severely ill with COVID-19 compared with non-pregnant people. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can protect you from severe illness from COVID-19.

Based on new evidence about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines, CDC is strengthening its recommendation for COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy.

  • In a new analysis of current data from the v-safe pregnancy registry, scientists did not find an increased risk for miscarriage among people who received an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine before 20 weeks of pregnancy.
  • Additionally, previous findings from three safety monitoring systems did not find any safety concerns for pregnant people who were vaccinated late in pregnancy or for their babies.
  • Growing evidence about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy demonstrates that the benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any known or potential risks.
  • COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people 12 years and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.
  • The increased circulation of the highly contagious Delta variant, the low vaccine uptake among pregnant people, and the increased risk of severe illness and pregnancy complications related to COVID-19 infection among pregnant people make vaccination for this population more urgent than ever.

COVID-19 3rd Dose FOR IMMUNE-COMPROMISED APPROVED

  • 3rd dose vaccines are only approved for immune-compromised individuals
  • 3rd dose is to be administered a minimum of 28 days after 2nd shot

    See the Governor’s Statement for further information on immune-compromised HERE.

    Governor Pritzker Issues An Executive Order Requiring Residents to Wear Face Coverings Indoors Regardless of Vaccination Status

    Beginning on Monday, August 30, 2021, all individuals in Illinois who are age two or over and able to medically tolerate a face covering (a mask or cloth face covering) will be required to cover their nose and mouth with a face covering when in an indoor public place. Illinoisans should also consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings and for activities that involve close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.

    COVID-19 Delta Variant Cases Continue to Rise.

    Why Wait?

    Schedule your vaccine today to Stop the Spread of the Delta Variant!

    Steps Already Taken to Combat Delta in Illinois:

    Vaccinations required for all state employees at congregate facilities, in addition to mandates by private employers

    Masks required in all public indoor spaces

    County Level COVID-19 Risk Metrics

    Hospital Resource and COVID Patient Data

    County Level COVID-19 Community Transmission Data

    Cases: 7 Day Total

    1248

    Cases: Total Per 100K

    180.68

    Positivity Rate

    5.33%

    Pop-Up Vaccine Clinics

    Happening This Weekend!

    Monee Fall Fest

    Fireman’s Park, 5218,W Court Street, Monee

    September 10th from 5pm to 8pm

    Community Resource Fair

    90 Towncenter Drive, University Park

    September 11th from 10am to 2pm

    Pop-Up COVID-19 Vaccination Event Request

    Do you want to host a Pop-Up COVID-19 Vaccination Event?

    Cruise Night – Manhattan

    230 Wabash Street, Manhattan

    September 13th from 6pm to 8pm

    Founder’s Day Entertainment Weekend

    1050 W Romeo Road, Romeoville

    September 18th from 1pm to 5pm

    Frankfort Country Market

    Breidert Green, Frankfort, IL
    Corner of White St. and Kansas St.

    September 19th from 9am to 1pm

    Beecher Farmers Market

    625 Dixie Hwy, Beecher

    September 25th from 9am to 1pm

    Oktoberfest

    200 Second Street, Manhattan

    October 9th from 9am to 11am

    Click a link below to schedule your first dose vaccine online.

    (2nd dose appointments will be made at the time of the first appointment.)
    Second dose appointments at the Joliet or Bolingbrook office will receive a gift card, while supplies last.

    If you need a second dose appointment,
    call 815-774-7386 to schedule your second dose.

    Joliet

    Will County Health Department Vaccine Clinic

    501 Ella Avenue, Joliet, IL 60433

    CLINIC HOURS:
    MONDAYS from 9am – 3:45pm
    TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS from 9am – 5:30pm

    CLOSED WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS

    Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines available

     ACCEPTING WALK-INS
    AFTER 10am 

    Scheduling Starting Sept. 7:

    Now with automatic second dose scheduling!

    Bolingbrook

    Will County Health Department North Branch Office Pfizer Vaccine Clinic

    Regular Wednesday Pfizer Appointments for ages 12 & up

    323 Quadrangle Drive, Bolingbrook, IL 60440

    CLINIC HOURS:
    WEDNESDAYS
    from 10am – 5:30pm

     ACCEPTING WALK-INS 

    Scheduling Starting Sept. 8:

    We are now offering scheduling to the Will County Health Department Vaccine Clinics through our COVID-19 appointment scheduling phone line.

    Call to Schedule your Vaccine with the Will County Health Department

    815-774-7386

    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.

    2 DOSE VACCINE EFFECTIVENESS AGAINST COVID-19

    GET BOTH DOSES

    call 815-774-7386 to schedule your second dose.

    Second dose appointments at the Joliet or Bolingbrook office will receive a gift card, while supplies last.

    Our Progress

    Over 53% of the population in Will County Are Fully Vaccinated!

    Total number of vaccines administered

    768,876

    9/10/21

    Total complete doses

    372,555

    9/10/21

    53.81%

    of population fully vaccinated

    Demographic Breakdown

    RACE/ETHNICITY

    %

    WHITE

    460,780

    %

    HISPANIC

    111,018

    %

    BLACK

    71,241

    %

    ASIAN

    56,182

    Age

    Ages 12-17

    • 71,239 9.27% 9.27%

    Ages 18-64

    • 539,782 70.2% 70.2%

    Ages 65+

    • 157,837 20.5% 20.5%

    Gender

    Female

    • 409,546 53.3% 53.3%

    Male

    • 356,978 46.4% 46.4%

    Do you have outreach or grassroots experience? We are hiring!

    The Will County Health Department is hiring Health Navigators to assist with COVID-19 vaccine outreach and education throughout the County.  Interested candidates can find more information and apply on our website.

    Tell Us What You Think

    TAKE OUR SURVEY

    We need your help! Will County Health Department needs your input on the COVID-19 vaccination to help us better understand where our communities stand on the vaccine. We are working to better center our education and outreach efforts to address concerns and questions about the vaccine and ensure that everyone has equitable access to the vaccine.

    We are asking you to take just 5-10 minutes to express your views on the vaccine through this completely anonymous survey. You can complete this survey regardless of whether you have taken the vaccine or not; we need input from everyone. Your responses will not be personally connected to you in any way. We encourage you to express your thoughts so we can better serve our communities.

     

    Thank you so much!

    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!

    For additional questions about COVID-19, call our hotline:

    815.774.7386

    The Will County Health Department is providing a Coronavirus hotline to help answer your questions about COVID-19.

    Call Center Hours of Operation:

    Monday through Friday from 8:00am-4:30pm

    Please call with any questions you may have and we will be happy to help you.

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