Friday, December 18, 2020 ● Volume 1, Issue 42
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DuPage County Health Department
Delivers COVID-19 Vaccine to Hospitals
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DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin, DuPage County Board of Health President Sam Tornatore and DuPage County Health Department Executive Director Karen Ayala joined DuPage Medical Group (DMG) Chief Medical Officer Dr. Don Hoscheit and Chief Operating Officer Donna Cooper and staff as the first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine was received in DuPage County.
DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) staff securely transported and delivered the first allotments of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to all DuPage County hospitals on Thursday, December 17, 2020. These initial vaccine shipments will serve to vaccinate and protect healthcare personnel in DuPage County.
“Throughout this pandemic, our healthcare workers have selflessly put their health and wellbeing on the line every day to care for their patients. We are grateful for their commitment and dedication to helping our residents. This vaccine now offers us a way to give back to them, by providing them with additional protection as we move forward,” said Karen Ayala, Executive Director of DuPage County Health Department.
Following receipt of vaccine, hospital-based frontline health care workers were the first to roll-up their sleeves to receive their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in DuPage. The vaccine is given in two doses, three weeks apart, and offers up to 95% protection against COVID-19. On day one, about 23% of the vaccine allocations were administered by the DuPage County health system partners. All of the hospital systems plan to administer their full allotment of vaccine by Monday, Dec. 21, 2020. DCHD anticipates it will take several weeks to reach the estimated 43,000 health care personnel throughout the county. Long-term care facilities will receive vaccinations through a Federal program, called the Pharmacy Partnership Program.
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COVID-19 vaccine unpacked from dry ice |
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COVID-19 vaccine placed into cold storage |
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COVID-19 vaccine administered at Advocate-Good Samaritan Hospital |
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COVID-19 vaccine administered at Edward Hospital |
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COVID-19 vaccine administered at Elmhurst Hospital |
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COVID-19 vaccine administered at Northwestern Central DuPage Hospital |
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Every week, the DuPage County Health Department will be sharing the most frequently asked questions about the coronavirus pandemic to help educate and inform county residents.
I am a healthcare professional, not affiliated with a local hospital system, when will a COVID-19 vaccination be available for me?
All healthcare personnel (HCP) as defined by CDC fall under Phase 1a for COVID-19 vaccination. For at least the first 6-8 weeks, COVID-19 vaccination efforts by DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) are focusing on Phase 1a (including HCP), distributing received vaccine supply first to hospitals, as required by the Illinois Department of Public Health. DCHD is also finalizing Point of Dispensing (PODs) plans and locations; the schedule of these COVID-19 vaccination clinics for HCP is anticipated in 2-4 weeks. These vaccination clinics will be appointment-based, and more information will be posted as plans are finalized on DCHD’s COVID-19 vaccine page at www.dupagehealth.org/covid19vaccine. We’ll be actively promoting the (drive-through) vaccination clinic information as our schedule is finalized and as we begin receiving vaccine allocation for non-hospital-associated HCP, who will be our focus at DCHD PODs/vaccination clinics. Please sign up for weekly updates at www.dupagehealth.org/covid19vaccine.
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Have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine?
Illinois Department of Public Health has answers.
FACT: The COVID-19 vaccine does not contain the COVID-19 virus.
Read more FAQs here:
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DuPage County COVID-19
Vaccine Information Available on Website
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The DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) has launched a COVID-19 Vaccine webpage for the public to stay informed on the latest information regarding vaccine and plans for distribution. As more information becomes available, DCHD will update and share on its website and social media channels.
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Stay Up to Date on Vaccine Distribution in DuPage County
DuPage County Health Department will be issuing weekly updates about vaccine distribution in DuPage County. If you would like to receive these weekly updates, click here to register.
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COVID-19 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES |
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DuPage County Drive-Thru COVID-19 Test 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.
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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Flu Vaccine Voucher Program DuPage County |
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This year, it’s more important than ever to make sure everyone in your family gets a flu vaccine. Getting your flu shot will help to keep you, your family, and your community safe and can help you avoid co-infection of COVID-19 and the flu.
The DuPage Health Coalition is joining partners in DuPage County to make it easier for all of individuals to stay healthy and flu-free. With funding provided by DuPage County, DHC is offering free flu vaccine vouchers to uninsured DuPage County residents whose financial circumstances make it difficult to get their annual flu shot.
Vouchers will be sent to individuals who request them (by email or mail) and can be redeemed at any DuPage County Walgreens until December 31st, while supplies last.
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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, December 18, 2020 ● Volume 1, Issue 42
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