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February 2, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine Update
COVID-19 vaccination efforts are ramping up throughout Lake County! As you begin to hear more about vaccinations and availability, please keep in mind that demand far exceeds supply. The City will continue to keep you updated on the vaccine rollout in Lake County in Tuesday eNews and at cityhpil.com/vaccine.

News this week:
  • AllVax now allows users to opt-in to share their data with other healthcare providers to give you access to more locations providing vaccines as vaccine supplies increase. You must log in to your account to enable this option if you've already registered.
  • AllVax has added new categories within the "frontline essential workers" eligibility group. If you belong to this priority group and are registered with the AllVax Portal, please log in to update your profile.
  • The Lake County Health Department is currently operating a vaccination drive-thru site at the Lake County Fairgrounds. This site is focused on vaccinating individuals in Phase 1A. LCHD will make an announcement when the Fairgrounds site moves to Phase 1B. Vaccinations at the Fairgrounds are by appointment only.
  • If you are scheduled to receive a vaccine via the Lake County Health Department, click here to review pre-appointment information, including intake and consent forms.
  • AllVax is communicating with other healthcare providers. Do not remove your account from AllVax if you are vaccinated via a local healthcare provider or pharmacy. AllVax will update to reflect vaccinations provided by others because it is also being used to track progress towards vaccination of 80% of Lake County residents.
Recent Questions
When can I receive the vaccine?
Vaccination timelines are fluctuating due to supply. Right now, persons within Phase 1A and Phase 1B are receiving vaccines. If you belong to one of these eligible groups, you may look for an appointment at an approved site. Because vaccine supply is limited, it's unfortunately not possible to provide a timeline for vaccination. More information on who is included in phases 1A and 1B can be found on IDPH's website.

Is the City providing vaccinations?
No. Right now, the Lake County Health Department is the primary vaccinator for our area, supported by area hospitals, pharmacies, and medical groups. As vaccine inventories increase, vaccines will be more widely available at convenient locations such as retail pharmacies, doctors' offices, and state-run clinics. In addition to Lake County Health Department vaccination sites, you may be able to be vaccinated at:
  • Your primary care/other healthcare provider's office
  • Your hospital network or medical group
  • Jewel-Osco
  • Walgreens
  • CVS

What should I do if I am eligible to be vaccinated but unable to make an appointment?
The City is in constant communication with county, state, and federal officials to better understand the vaccination process. If you are eligible to be vaccinated but have so far been unable to make an appointment, try the following:
  • If you are a patient of NorthShore University HealthSystem, please be sure that you are registered with NorthShore Connect. NorthShore is preparing to vaccinate eligible NorthShore patients and will contact you directly via email.
  • If you are a patient of a different hospital system, contact your primary care physician to learn about the vaccination process through your hospital system or medical group.
  • Questions for the Lake County Health Department may be directed to 847.377.8130. LCHD is currently experiencing extremely high call volume. Please consider reaching out via email instead of phone to [email protected].

How can I help with vaccine distribution?
Consider volunteering with the Lake County Medical Reserve Corps! This a volunteer group that works to support the increased demands of the healthcare system in the event of a major health emergency. Opportunities are available for medically- and non-medically-trained individuals. Volunteer by emailing [email protected] or calling 847.377.8186.
COVID-19 Update from
Highland Park Hospital
NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) is pleased to provide the Highland Park community with COVID-19 and vaccine updates. NorthShore is administering COVID-19 vaccinations in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) guidelines and recommendations that utilize a phased approach.

Currently, the State of Illinois entered Phase 1b of the COVID-19 vaccine roll out that is designated for individuals age 65 and older. NorthShore is communicating directly with NorthShore patients 65 and older by email with steps to prepare to receive the vaccine as we get doses from the appropriate local public health agencies.

Please Note: At this time, NorthShore is only preparing to vaccinate current NorthShore patients 65 and older along with those in the existing 1a group (healthcare workers and residents and staff of long-term care facilities). Highland Park residents who are patients of other healthcare systems should receive an update from their chosen healthcare provider.
Frontline essential workers (in Phase 1b) should register on Lake County’s vaccination portal: AllVax.lakecohealth.org to receive updates.

As more vaccine doses become available and Illinois transitions into another phase, NorthShore will communicate updates on the NorthShore COVID-19 page: www.northshore.org/covid19. This page also directs readers to weekly COVID Community Checkup videos featuring NorthShore’s Chief Medical Officer, Lakshmi Halasyamani, MD. We invite the community to view, as well as submit questions that will be answered the following week.

The City greatly appreciates the partnership of NorthShore University HealthSystem in providing these regular updates for our Tuesday eNews.
Region 9 On Track
To Advance To Phase 4
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced that Region 9 (Lake and McHenry Counties) is on track to advance to Phase 4 of Restore Illinois on Wednesday, February 3. If Region 9 reports a third consecutive day of the test positivity rolling average at or below 6.5% on Wednesday, it will immediately be moved into Phase 4. The City will share this information as soon as it becomes available.
Health Inequities &
Black History Month
February is Black History Month, dedicated to celebrating Black history and culture and the many contributions of Black Americans to our state and throughout the nation. It is also an opportunity to meaningfully engage with the continuing legacies of injustice and systemic racism that impact the daily lives of Black Americans across the country. This is evident in persistent inequities related to health care, particularly access to care, as has been readily apparent throughout the COVID-19 crisis, where it has been clear that communities of color have weathered disproportionate rates of infection and death.

Promoting health equity is a priority for the CDC in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to learn how individuals and organizations can support CDC efforts.

Next week, the National Institute of Health will present a webinar related to health equity: Examining Impacts of Racism on African American Health (Feb. 11, 1:00 PM).

Mayor Rotering issued a proclamation declaring February to be Black History Month in the City of Highland Park. Click here to learn more.
Sourcing:

The City of Highland Park does not have its own health department. The information in this email is derived from the Lake County Health Department, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Questions pertaining to the distribution, scheduling, or administration of the vaccine should be directed to the Lake County Health Department. The City does not schedule appointments for or administer COVID-19 vaccines.
COVID-19 Resources