Friday, July 2, 2021 ● Volume 2, Issue 14
|
|
|
80 Percent of Eligible DuPage County Residents Have Received at Least One COVID-19 Vaccine Dose |
|
According to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccination data, 80 percent of eligible residents 12 years and older have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, and 63 percent are fully vaccinated. Additionally, 98 percent of DuPage County residents ages 65 years and older have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, and 81 percent are fully vaccinated. Most importantly, there has been a notable decline in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths throughout the county.
On April 30, DuPage County officials announced a goal to have 80 percent of eligible residents fully vaccinated by July 1 to protect the health and well-being of all residents. Since the announcement of this goal, more than 298,000 vaccine doses have been administered to residents, and another 200,000 DuPage County residents have been fully vaccinated against this deadly virus.
“DuPage County set an ambitious goal and continues to lead the state in vaccination rates with 80 percent of our eligible population having received their first dose. We aimed high and our progress is exceptional. It exemplifies what we can accomplish as a community when we work together,” said DuPage County Chairman Dan Cronin.
To encourage vaccinations and expand access with equity, DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) ramped up efforts by introducing new tactics such as walk-in opportunities with evening and weekend hours at the DuPage COVID-19 Community Vaccination Clinic, partnering with EMS to vaccinate homebound individuals alongside DCHD staff, partnering with local businesses and organizations to provide mobile vaccination clinics, and distributing incentives supplied by the State of Illinois.
|
|
The Health Department Brings Care to the Community with a New Mobile Clinic
|
|
DCHD is bringing care to the community with their new Care Van and launching mobile clinics in DuPage County. The traveling Care Van will first focus on bringing COVID-19 vaccines directly to people who would otherwise have a hard time getting vaccinated due to barriers, including transportation, technology, and geographic barriers.
The Care Van will make stops in various locations across the County during the month of July. 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.
|
|
DuPage County Health Department Centers and Sites Closed July 3-5 to Observe Independence Day
|
|
The DuPage County Health Department’s (DCHD) Public Health Centers in Addison, Lombard, West Chicago, Westmont, and Wheaton as well as the DCHD COVID-19
Vaccination Clinic will be closed Saturday, July 3 and Monday, July 5, 2021 in observance of Independence Day.
The COVID-19 Testing Site at the Odeum Expo Center in Villa Park will be closed Sunday, July 4 and Monday, July 5, 2021.
The Health Department's Crisis Hotline (630) 627-1700 will remain in operation.
All offices, COVID-19 vaccination clinic, and the COVID-19 Testing Site will reopen at their regular times on Tuesday, July 6, 2021.
|
|
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.
I’ve heard about a new “Delta variant” of the virus that causes COVID-19. Is it dangerous?
The Delta variant is a mutation of the virus that causes COVID-19. This variant spreads more easily and more quickly than others. It already has had a severe impact in other countries, such as India. Over the past month, the Delta variant has rapidly spread and expanded in the U.S. It could soon become the dominant virus strain.
The good news is that the COVID-19 vaccines currently in use in the U.S. offer good protection against the COVID-19 variants we know most about. COVID-19 vaccines have shown excellent effectiveness in preventing hospitalizations and death. This includes the Delta strain.
The Delta variant most severely impacts those people not fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This includes people who only received the first dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series, such as Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna.
How can I protect myself against the Delta variant?
You can best protect yourself against the Delta variant by becoming fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Those who receive two-dose vaccines will be fully vaccinated two weeks after they receive their second dose. Two-dose vaccines include the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. Those who receive single-dose vaccines like Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine will be fully vaccinated two weeks after their dose.
Will other variants continue to spread in the future?
Viruses such as the Delta variant continue to mutate and spread as long as they have the ability to do so. The most effective means of slowing and stopping the spread of these variants is vaccination. When a large percentage of a community is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the virus will not be able to spread within it. This will also serve to decrease the development of new variants. Fully vaccinated people protect both themselves and their community against COVID-19 and similar variants.
|
|
COVID-19 VACCINE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH RESOURCES |
|
COVID-19 Vaccine in DuPage County (Flyer)
|
|
Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines
(Flyer)
|
|
About the COVID-19 Vaccines (Flyer)
|
|
DuPage County Community COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic (Video)
|
|
COVID-19 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES |
|
DuPage County COVID-19 Testing Sites |
|
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.
NOTE: The DuPage COVID-19 Testing site will be CLOSED July 4 and July 5.
For other COVID-19 testing sites, visit the IDPH Testing webpage.
|
|
Protect Your Children with Routine Vaccinations
|
|
As a parent, you want to keep your children safe. 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.
As opportunities for in-person activities and play continue to grow, DuPage County Health Department encourages parents to make sure children are up-to-date on routinely recommended vaccines. Well-child visits and check-ups are essential for routine vaccination, even during the pandemic.
If you’re pregnant, now is a great time to find a doctor for your baby and schedule a visit to discuss any questions you have about vaccines.
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.
|
|
Health Department Supports Residents Impacted by Tornado in DuPage County
|
|
On June 26 and 27, the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) participated in the Multi Agency Resource Center (MARC) in Woodridge to help those impacted by the tornado in DuPage County. Health Department staff provided resources and education about agency services to approximately 96 families.
The Multi-Agency Resources Center (MARC) was led by the Northeast Illinois Community Organizations Active in Disaster (NE IL COAD) at Thomas Jefferson Junior High School in Woodridge. More than 350 families attended the event to get assistance from 39 community partners present including DCHD.
|
|
Friday, July 2, 2021 ● Volume 2, Issue 14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
