COVID-19 News Update
SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Illinois Department of Public Health Director, was in Will County to officially dedicate our new headquarters which was postponed last Spring due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
She was able to meet our local heroes who have helped provide over 750,000 vaccines in the last year and thank Will County for providing our new state-of-the-art health facility to meet the needs of our community, especially during the last year.
As the Delta variant continues to spread, Dr. Ezike had a special message about getting vaccinated. To find a vaccine clinic in Will County, click below.
MISPLACED YOUR VACCINE RECORD?
This two-sided English/Spanish form can be completed 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
COVID-19
Myth vs. Fact
Getting vaccinated, wearing a mask, and social distancing are proven methods to slow the spread of COVID-19 and emerging variants. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all people 12 years and older get vaccinated against COVID-19 and all people 2 years and older wear a mask indoors when in public. As of September 1, 2021, only 61.5% of people ages 12 years or older in the U.S. are fully vaccinated, and rates of infections, hospitalizations, and deaths remain high.
MYTH
The vaccine is not necessary because there are effective treatments available for COVID-19.
FACT
Treatments such as ivermectin, zinc, and vitamin D are not approved by the FDA or CDC. Research studies investigating whether these treatment strategies are effective are unconvincing, and taking large doses of supplements or unapproved medications can cause serious harm. Monoclonal antibody treatment may be helpful to some patients, but it is expensive.
COVID-19 3rd Dose FOR IMMUNE-COMPROMISED
- 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.
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.
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.
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
1278
Cases: Total Per 100K
185.02
Positivity Rate
4.72%
Pop-Up Vaccine Clinics
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
Joliet Pride Festival
Bicentennial Park
201 W Jefferson Street, Joliet
September 25th from Noon to 3pm
Beecher Farmers Market
625 Dixie Hwy, Beecher
September 25th from 9am to 1pm
Oktoberfest
200 Second Street, Manhattan
October 9th from 9am to 11am
Pop-Up COVID-19 Vaccination Event Request
Do you want to host a Pop-Up COVID-19 Vaccination Event?
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.
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 54% of the population in Will County Are Fully Vaccinated!
Total number of vaccines administered
776,517
9/17/21
Total complete doses
379,250
9/17/21
54.78%
of population fully vaccinated
Demographic Breakdown
RACE/ETHNICITY
%
WHITE
466,154
%
HISPANIC
112,346
%
BLACK
72,485
%
ASIAN
56,506
Age
Ages 12-17
- 72,307 9.31%
Ages 18-64
- 545,642 70.3%
Ages 65+
- 158,550 20.4%
Gender
Female
- 413,820 53.3%
Male
- 360,311 46.4%
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.