Bolingbrook, IL 

A compelling new COVID-19 Vaccination Drive featuring the parents of Dykota Morgan, a 15 year-old Bolingbrook teen who lost her life to COVID-19, was launched today by the Will County Health Department to encourage African American parents to get themselves and their children age 12 and older vaccinated.

“I don’t want any parent to feel this void that we have,” said Krystal Morgan, mother of Dykota. “Nobody should have to feel this. This is the worst feeling in the world, especially when you know you did everything you could to protect them.”

Dykota Morgan was a healthy student athlete at Bolingbrook High School when she began showing symptoms of COVID-19 on Saturday, May 1st.  She tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, May 2nd and rapidly declined leading to her tragic death on May 4th at Central DuPage Hospital.

“If you look at our daughter, she was in tip-top shape and she had no underlying conditions, and what COVID-19 did to her in such a short time, it can do to any child,” said Rashad Bingham, Dykota’s father.

Dykota passed away one week before the CDC and FDA approved children age 12 and older to receive the COVID-19 Pfizer Vaccine.  Ironically, her mother had pre-registered Dykota to receive the vaccine in anticipation of the approval.

“She always worked to make a difference in life as a friend, a teammate and a caring human being,” said Krystal Morgan. “She would have wanted us to continue her legacy of caring for others by encouraging all families and especially black families to get vaccinated.”

The Will County Health Department announced they will be holding a special COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic in Dykota’s honor on Saturday, June 26th from 10AM – 2PM, at Hubert H. Humphrey Middle School, 777 Falconridge Way, Bolingbrook, IL 60440.  This will be a FIRST DOSE PFIZER CLINIC ONLY.  Anyone over the age of 12 who has not been vaccinated is encouraged to schedule online at www.willcountyhealth.org or walk-in.

“It takes all of us working together to address the concerns of African Americans regarding the vaccine and improve vaccination rates in Will County,” said Jennifer Bertino Tarrant, County Executive. “Dykota Morgan’s life story will save lives by increasing vaccinations.  I am so grateful for her parents’ brave decision to come forward and share her story.”

As of June 10th, 2021, 25.31% of African Americans living in Will County have been fully vaccinated compared to 33.19% of the white Will County residents according to data from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

According to Pew Research Center only 42% of African Americans say they will definitely or probably get a COVID-19 vaccine compared to 61% of white Americans.  African Americans have been hesitant to come forward and receive the vaccine due to a number of factors including historical mistrust of medical care and myths that have surrounded the COVID-19 vaccine.

“We are very thankful to Krystal and Rashad for raising their voices to urge everyone, and parents in particular, to get themselves and their children vaccinated,” said Sue Olenek, Executive Director of the Will County Health Department. “Hopefully, because of them, more children will be vaccinated and protected from COVID-19.”