Friday, January 15, 2021 ● Volume 1, Issue 46
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COVID-19 VACCINE PRIORITIZATION
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DCHD is working to vaccinate people in alignment with the Phase 1a recommendations from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) which includes healthcare personnel (HCP), as defined by CDC and further defined by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), including updates provided on 1/10/21.
- Phase 1a includes HCP in:
- Hospital Settings
- Non-Hospital Healthcare
- Other identified congregate care staff and residents
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HCP will be required to present verification of their healthcare personnel status, i.e., employee ID badge, check stub, state licensure, or certificate.
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Vaccination is by appointment only and dependent on vaccine supply.
- As the vaccine supply provided by the State of Illinois/IDPH is allocated based on county jurisdiction, DCHD is further prioritizing its administration of vaccine for individuals who reside, work, or attend school in DuPage County. Individuals presenting for vaccination at a DCHD location may be asked to provide verification of residence, employment, or school attendance within DuPage County.
- At this time, we are only providing vaccinations to HCP 18 years and older.
- Vaccination prioritization will continue to change as COVID-19 vaccine supply increases in the coming weeks.
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Healthcare Personnel Vaccinated in Phase 1a
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"We are officially vaccinated! What a privilege and honor to be eligible for the vaccine early this year, and what better way to start the new year. It is not the end, but certainly a new beginning of what could be the end of this battle. We couldn’t be more thankful to all those working tirelessly during this ongoing pandemic—all our fellow front line workers, all those responsible for providing us with a symbol of hope, the COVID-19 vaccine, and all the sacrifices everyone has had to make in order to survive such turbulent times." |
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Every week, the DuPage County Health Department will be sharing the most frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the coronavirus pandemic to help educate and inform county residents. For a list of additional FAQ, visit COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions.
When do I get my COVID-19 vaccine?
This depends on whether or not you fall under the Phase 1a, 1b, or 1c guidelines as listed here: https://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/vaccination-plan. DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) and healthcare providers in the community are currently vaccinating healthcare personnel as part of Phase 1a and anticipate moving to Phase 1b in the coming weeks. Once in Phase 1b, we estimate nearly 270,000 individuals in DuPage will become eligible. With this large of a group, it may take about 12 weeks for all Phase 1b individuals to be vaccinated. Because it will take time to get this many people vaccinated, we are urging patience from our residents while we continue working to deliver as many vaccinations as quickly as possible through both the DCHD and a network of partner providers in the community.
What should I do now?
Currently, DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) asks any individuals living, working, or attending college/university in DuPage and interested in learning more about opportunities to become vaccinated for COVID-19 to sign-up for our weekly updates at www.dupagehealth.org/covid19vaccine. Signing up for these updates is not a registration for a vaccine. However, signing up allows DCHD to communicate with you efficiently as opportunities to become vaccinated by providers all over the county become available.
What is the Health Department’s plan for Phase 1b?
DuPage County Health Department is working with many different partners at all levels, including hospitals, healthcare providers, pharmacies, and community leaders to expand access to vaccine throughout numerous sites across DuPage County. Our goal is to make COVID-19 vaccine available in as many locations as possible as we prepare to move into Phase 1b in the coming weeks. As vaccine supply increases and additional vaccination sites become available, the Health Department expects the rate of vaccination will increase and more information will be available about the specific locations people will be able to go to schedule appointments for vaccine.
How much of the vaccine received in DuPage County has made it into people’s arms?
In the first four weeks of vaccination, DuPage County received 46,305 doses of vaccine, and 32,711 doses of vaccine were administered, which represents 71% of doses received being administered. Please note that not all received doses can be administered immediately as each week vaccinators must hold vaccine doses for upcoming appointments. Of the 32,711 doses administered in DuPage County as of January 11, DuPage County Health Department has administered 3,406 doses and other healthcare partners have administered 29,305 doses.
What are you doing to get people vaccinated more quickly?
The DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) is working diligently to increase the number of vaccines administered each week. Local healthcare partners are also planning and expanding additional opportunities. DCHD understands, very clearly, the need to expand the availability of the vaccine as the population to be vaccinated increases in Phase 1b. It will, even with the expansion, require patience and calm from our residents. We are working around the clock to ensure these efforts are successful and achieve high vaccine coverage levels across our communities.
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DuPage County Health Department COVID-19 Vaccine Weekly Update |
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This week, vaccination efforts in DuPage County remain focused on administering first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccine to healthcare personnel in Phase 1a and expanding vaccine capacity throughout the county. As of Jan. 12, 2021, approximately 33,950 vaccines have been administered to DuPage County healthcare personnel according to vaccination data provided by Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). DuPage County is currently in the top five counties for the percent of population fully vaccinated.
DuPage County, Illinois’ second-most populous county, is fortunate to have a vast medical community. There are several hospitals, outpatient medical clinics, doctors’ offices, federally qualified health centers, and congregate care centers as well as other medical personnel such as dentists, nurses, physical therapists, etc. Due to these factors, health officials expect it will take several weeks before DuPage County is ready to move into Phase 1b.
“We understand some counties throughout the State are ready to move into Phase 1b. However, here in DuPage County we remain committed to vaccinating the thousands of healthcare personnel who have signed-up to receive vaccine appointments,” stated Karen Ayala, Executive Director of DuPage County Health Department. “We ask residents for their patience as we continue to move forward in our vaccination efforts of Phase 1a. As more updates become available, this information will be shared on our website, social media channels, and weekly newsletter.”
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DuPage County COVID-19
Vaccine Information Available on Website
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The DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) has a COVID-19 Vaccine webpage for the public to stay informed on the latest information regarding vaccine planning in DuPage County. As more information becomes available, DCHD will share updates on its website and social media channels.
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Illinois Department of Public Health
COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Data
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COVID-19 vaccination data by county is now available through the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) website. Data include the number of doses administered, the vaccination rate per population, and what percent of the population is fully vaccinated. It is important to note that vaccine distribution figures are reported in real-time, while vaccine administration figures are reported with as much as a 72-hour lag. |
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COVID-19 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES |
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DuPage County COVID-19 Testing Sites |
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The DuPage County Health Department offers two community-based drive-thru testing sites to residents. Anyone can be tested, and no appointment, doctor referral, or insurance is required. Visitors are encouraged to pre-register at testdirectly.com. Please note: Pre-registration does not guarantee testing or a place in line for that day.
421 N County Farm Rd, Wheaton, IL
Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. to noon, or until test capacity is met.
*** CLOSED on Monday, Jan. 18, to observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day ***
1033 N. Villa Avenue, Villa Park, IL
Sunday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., or until test capacity is met.
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Testing Site Locations in DuPage County |
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The DuPage County Health Department reminds residents that there are various COVID-19 testing locations throughout DuPage County. For a list of testing locations near you including CVS and Physicians Immediate Care, visit the IDPH Testing webpage.
Additionally, Walgreens also offers COVID-19 testing.
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Pillars Community Health
COVID-19 Testing in Willowbrook
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Pillars Community Health offers drive-up testing for COVID-19 across the street from Burr Ridge Middle School in Burr Ridge.
Testing is restricted to people who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or who have had a close contact with a confirmed exposure. Limited tests available; an appointment IS REQUIRED: Call
708-PILLARS (708-745-5277) and follow the prompts.
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VNA Health Care COVID-19 Testing |
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VNA Health Care offers COVID-19 testing by appointment only to new and existing patients with or without symptoms.
Community mobile testing clinics are also available in Bensenville and West Chicago through VNA Health Care.
VNA Mobile Clinic at St. Alexis Catholic Church
400 W Wood Ave, Bensenville, IL, 60106
VNA Mobile Clinic at St. Andrew's Church
155 N Prince Crossing Rd, West Chicago, IL, 60185
To schedule an appointment, call (630) 892-4355 or (847) 717-6455.
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Illinois COVID-19 Hotline and Email Address |
If you have questions about Coronavirus - Call the Illinois Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Hotline:
Both are available anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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Friday, January 15, 2021 ● Volume 1, Issue 46
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