Friday, August 13, 2021 ● Volume 2, Issue 20
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IDPH Launches Online ‘Vax Verify’ System |
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The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is launching a new immunization portal, Vax Verify, that will allow Illinois residents 18 years and older to check their COVID-19 vaccination record. Vax Verify can be accessed at https://idphportal.illinois.gov.
“As more businesses, events, organizations, and others require proof of vaccination, Illinois residents will be able to confirm using Vax Verify that they have been vaccinated for COVID-19,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “With the current surge in cases, more people are making the decision to get a COVID-19 vaccine and this new tool will aid residents in confirming their vaccination where needed.”
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DuPage County Remains at “High” Level of COVID-19 Community Transmission
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their guidance regarding COVID-19 vaccines while pregnant or breastfeeding. COVID-19 vaccination is now 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. Evidence about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy has been growing. These data suggest that the benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any known or potential risks of vaccination during pregnancy. The CDC goes further to say, “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.” With the increased case activity and spread of the highly contagious Delta variant, the timing of this recommendation is critical to our community. To learn more about the updated CDC COVID-19 vaccination recommendations during pregnancy visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- ncov/vaccines/recommendations/pregnancy.html.
Currently, DuPage County is seeing increased COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations causing the county to remain at the highest level of Community Transmission, “High”, according to county-level data from the CDC. The 7- day rolling average of new cases reported in DuPage County has increased 20 percent since last week from 115 new cases per day to 138 new cases per day. In areas of the country experiencing “Substantial” or “High” levels of community transmission of COVID-19, CDC recommends that everyone, including fully vaccinated people wear a mask in public indoor settings to prevent ongoing transmission of the disease.
Despite increases in local case activity and hospitalizations, in DuPage County, over 98 percent of hospitalized COVID-19 cases since mid-December 2020 have been in persons not fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Regarding deaths from COVID-19, over 97 percent of deaths since mid-December have occurred in residents not fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States are highly effective at preventing severe disease and death, including against the Delta variant. The DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) is once again strongly urging eligible residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible.
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Get Vaccinated Against COVID-19 in DuPage
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COVID-19 vaccines are free and available to anyone 12 years and older. There are now many locations available to get your COVID-19 vaccine in DuPage County. To find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you, visit www.vaccines.gov.
The DuPage County Health Department also offers COVID-19 vaccinations on a walk-in basis in Wheaton, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, visit dupagehealth.org/covid19vaccineclinic.
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The Care Van is Bringing Care to the Community
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The Care Van will make stops in various locations across the County during the month of August. People will be able to walk up to the Care Van and receive a COVID-19 vaccination from a Health Department nurse. The clinic is free, and open to all people 12 years or older, including those who do not have health insurance or legal immigration status. The Care Van will offer either the Pfizer vaccine which requires two doses 21 days apart or the one dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
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Stop The Spread: Get Tested for COVID-19
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Testing remains essential to detecting, monitoring, and curbing the spread of COVID-19 and the variants in our community. DCHD encourages individuals (regardless of vaccination status) who have taken part in activities that put them at higher risk for COVID-19 including travel, attending large social or mass gatherings, or being in crowded or poorly-ventilated indoor settings to get tested.
The DuPage County Health Department offers a community-based drive-thru testing site 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.
1033 N. Villa Avenue, Villa Park, IL
Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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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.
Why is CDC strengthening vaccine recommendations for pregnant people now?
The growing evidence about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy suggests that the benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any known or potential risks and vaccination is essential to protect pregnant people.
Clinicians caring for pregnant people have seen an increase in the number of pregnant people with COVID-19 in the past several weeks. 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 among pregnant people make vaccination for this population more urgent than ever.
I lost my COVID-19 vaccination record card. What can I do?
If you enrolled in v-safe or VaxText, you can access your vaccination information through those tools. Otherwise, you can request your immunization records from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Immunization records may be accessed through a new portal, Vax Verify, that allows residents 18 years and older to access their COVID-19 vaccination record at https://idphportal.illinois.gov.
If records are not available through the portal, you may request these from IDPH directly and must:
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Complete the appropriate authorization to release information through I-CARE, view the Immunization Record Request Form.
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Return the signed copy of the authorization to the I-CARE Program Staff via email at dph.icare@illinois.gov.
- Be sure to include a return fax number.
- Records will be sent via fax upon receipt of the appropriate authorization form.
- Records can only be sent via fax due to HIPAA regulations
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COVID-19 VACCINE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH RESOURCES |
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COVID-19 Vaccine in DuPage County (Flyer)
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Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines
(Flyer)
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About the COVID-19 Vaccines (Flyer)
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Fight the Bite to Protect Your Family from West Nile Virus this Summer
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This week, the DuPage County Personal Protection Index (PPI) is at Risk Level 1, indicating a localized abundance of active mosquitoes and climate conditions favorable for development of virus. At this time, residents should remove standing water around their homes and use insect repellant when spending time outdoors.
Residents are also encouraged to report dead birds on the Health Department’s website by accessing the Citizen Reporter and clicking the Health Reporter option to submit their report. Dead birds can often be an early sign of the presence of WNV in the environment.
The Health Department monitors WNV activity by collecting and testing mosquitoes in traps located throughout the county. The PPI widget will be updated by 3 p.m. each Wednesday throughout the WNV season.
View the PPI widget at
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DCHD Dental Clinic Services Available |
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Although, the COVID-19 pandemic has meant delays in healthcare for many residents and their families, it is still critical to maintain good oral health.
The Dental Health Program at the DuPage County Health Department provides access to dental services and oral health education for low-income residents of DuPage County. All Medicaid plans are accepted, and income guidelines apply.
To ensure we keep you safe, our Dental Clinic follows federal and state guidelines for infection prevention and control, which are especially important during this time.
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Protect Your Children with Routine Vaccinations
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As your child heads back to school, make sure they have everything they need, including all of their routinely recommended childhood vaccinations. Routine childhood vaccinations are an important way to ensure that your child and community remain healthy and protected against serious diseases, like measles and whooping cough. Check with your child’s doctor to make sure your child is up to date.
For more information about vaccines and the diseases they prevent, visit these resources from the CDC:
If you have questions about vaccines, talk to your child’s healthcare provider.
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Friday, August 13, 2021 ● Volume 2, Issue 20
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