Friday, May 7, 2021 ● Volume 2, Issue 6
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More than 62 Percent of Eligible DuPage County Residents Vaccinated with at Least One Dose |
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As of May 6, over 38 percent, or 354,016, of DuPage County residents have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Of the DuPage County residents currently eligible, more than 62 percent, or 460,303, have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose. Additionally, 89 percent of DuPage County residents ages 65 years and older have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose. In the past week, more than 37,000 vaccine doses were administered into the arms of DuPage County residents for a total of 814,319 doses administered to date.
“As Mother’s Day approaches this weekend, we encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their loved ones,” shared Karen Ayala, Executive Director of DuPage County Health Department (DCHD). “The sooner we all get vaccinated, the sooner we can put an end to this pandemic and get back to the people and places we love.”
This week, the DCHD COVID-19 Community Vaccination Clinic at the DuPage County Fairgrounds began offering walk-in vaccinations to provide convenient opportunities to anyone 16 years and older. Walk-in hours have been extended and will be available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. To save time, individuals are encouraged to register at this link any time before their visit. For information about what to expect and how to prepare, visit www.dupagehealth.org/688/COVID-19-Vaccination-Clinic-DuPage-Count.
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Health Department Partners with Local First Responders to Vaccinate Homebound Residents |
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The DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) is partnering with the DuPage County Fire Chiefs Association, Region 8 Emergency Medical Service System (EMS), and local Fire Departments to expand current efforts to vaccinate homebound individuals in DuPage County. This partnership will help ensure that any homebound individual who cannot safely leave their residence is able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
To support the homebound vaccination program, DCHD is maintaining and coordinating a list of homebound individuals who have registered for COVID-19 vaccine as well as providing the necessary vaccine and supplies to perform this critical work. Any individuals, age 16 years and older, who are homebound or have difficulty getting to a vaccination clinic are eligible for the program and may register at www.dupagehealth.org/covid19vaccineregistration, or call (630) 682-7400 for assistance.
“We are committed to protecting all of our residents, especially our most vulnerable, and this partnership allows us the ability to expand access to vaccine for individuals who are homebound or who cannot get to a vaccination site,” said Karen Ayala, Executive Director of DuPage County Health Department. “We are incredibly grateful to the DuPage County Fire Chiefs Association and EMS Medical Directors, including Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, Edward Hospital, and Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital for their partnership in developing this much-needed program.”
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Requests for On-Site COVID-19 Mobile Vaccination Clinics Now Available |
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DCHD is looking to partner with municipalities, businesses, and community-based organizations to bring on-site mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinics closer to individuals who have not yet been vaccinated.
These mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinics can administer a scalable number of vaccines depending on the demand at a particular event and day/time. On-site clinics are available for 10-50 individuals or 51-200 individuals. To request an on-site mobile vaccination clinic, please complete and submit our request form. The form and additional information can be found on www.dupagehealth.org/692/COVID-19-Vaccine-Organizations.
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DuPage County COVID-19 Vaccine Champion Michael Childress, DuPage County NAACP |
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“COVID-19 has been hard on all of us. In the African American community we’ve been hit extra hard. Now it’s our turn to hit back. Science has proven the vaccine is safe and effective. This is #OurShotDuPage. To help save lives and protect our loved ones.”—Michael Childress, President of DuPage NAACP and DuPage County COVID-19 Vaccine Champion.
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DuPage County COVID-19 Vaccine Data |
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The DuPage County Health Department, with the support of DuPage County GIS, has added an interactive COVID-19 Vaccine Data feature onto the DuPage County COVID-19 Dashboard. The vaccine feature provides information about vaccine providers, weekly vaccine allocations, and allocations by provider type throughout DuPage County. To view the DuPage County COVID-19 Dashboard, visit www.dupagehealth.org/covid19data.
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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.
Can my 16 year-old walk-in to get vaccinated at the DuPage Vaccine Clinic located at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton?
Yes. The DCHD Community Vaccination Clinic welcomes eligible walk-ins Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm, and Saturdays from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm. Anyone under 18 is required to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. For more information, visit https://www.dupagehealth.org/688/COVID-19-Vaccination-Clinic-DuPage-Count.
Will a COVID-19 vaccine alter my DNA?
No. COVID-19 vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA in any way. There are currently two types of COVID-19 vaccines that have been authorized and recommended for use in the United States: messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines and a viral vector vaccine. Both mRNA and viral vector COVID-19 vaccines deliver instructions (genetic material) to our cells to start building protection against the virus that causes COVID-19. However, the material never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA is kept. This means the genetic material in the vaccines cannot affect or interact with our DNA in any way. All COVID-19 vaccines work with the body’s natural defenses to safely develop immunity to disease.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/facts.html
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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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Our Best Shot Against COVID-19 (Video)
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DuPage County Community COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic (Video)
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COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center (Postcard)
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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 available through the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) website. Data includes 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 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
Sunday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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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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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, May 7, 2021 ● Volume 2, Issue 6
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