Dear Lake County Resident,
Now over two-thirds of our seniors age 65 and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and ALL registered Lake County seniors are eligible to schedule appointments in AllVax. We are making progress, and expanding to more groups of essential workers and those with pre-existing health conditions is right around the corner. Meanwhile, the State has announced that eligibility will be open to everyone age 16 and older starting April 12.
While this change is exciting to some residents, it leads others to feel anxious because they are still waiting for their turn. Do not be discouraged, we will continue expanding our vaccination efforts to reach our priority groups and vulnerable communities. As the vaccine supply increases in the next couple of weeks, new locations will open to make vaccines more accessible. Rest assured, everyone who wants a vaccine will be able to get it in time.
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As of March 26, over 259,700 vaccine doses have been administered to Lake County residents and 92,207 residents (13.16% of the population) have been fully vaccinated. 68.60% of Lake County seniors age 65 and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The county is averaging 4,879 doses administered per day on a 7-day rolling average, a 11.3% decrease from last week.
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Lake County learned this week that we will receive 2,100 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine the week of March 29. We had been planning for a 64% drop in first doses from the state, so this is welcome news. To see the weekly total of vaccines we receive, visit our Data Hub.
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Our partner mobile units bringing vaccinations to hard-to-reach communities and home-bound seniors will be among providers receiving our Johnson & Johnson supply. If you or a household member are physically unable to leave home to be vaccinated, please contact our support team at (847) 377-8130 for help. If you have an appointment scheduled but need help finding transportation, please call 211 to learn about resources in your area.
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All seniors age 65+ with a Lake County ZIP code were made eligible to schedule their appointments in AllVax this week. Vaccinations appointments at the fairgrounds site continue being offered to seniors, first responders, and the remainder of those eligible in Phase 1a.
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Our school vaccination sites at Adlai E. Stevenson High School and Round Lake High School will continue vaccinating Pre-K through 12th grade education staff and daycare workers through April 2. After this date, second doses for this group will take place at the fairgrounds.
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Some hospital systems are beginning to vaccinate their patients under age 65 who have pre-existing health conditions. Pharmacies and state-run sites are providing appointments to additional groups made eligible by the state. To learn more, visit www.lakecountyil.gov/vaccine.
Please note that that there will be not be a COVID-19 newsletter next week, April 2. Please follow us on our social media channels for the latest news (Facebook/Instagram/Twitter).
The new vaccination plan details:
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Monday, March 22, vaccine eligibility opened to higher education staff, government workers, and members of the media.
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Monday, March 29, food and beverage workers, construction trade workers, and religious leaders will be eligible to schedule an appointment of the COVID-19 vaccine.
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April 12, all Illinois residents age 16 and older will be eligible to schedule an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Eligibility does not mean there will be appointment availability right away. Vaccinating everyone will take time and we appreciate your continued patience! Check out the four different ways to register for a COVID-19 vaccine on our How to Register page.
Last week, the Illinois National Guard began assisting the mass vaccination efforts at the Lake County Fairgrounds. National Guard members are screening individuals and administering vaccinations. This partnership will allow the fairgrounds site to enhance capacity and serve more residents. The National Guard have been supporting public health throughout the pandemic, running testing sites, assisting mass vaccination efforts, and running vaccine locations. We are grateful for their all of their help over the past year and look forward to our continued partnership in coming weeks.
Read the State’s Press Release here.
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Please check your spam or junk folder regularly to make sure that you aren't missing any important AllVax emails! Communications from the AllVax system come from allvax@communications-lakecohealth.org.
We encourage everyone to add allvax@communications-lakecohealth.org to their safe sender list, this will help to ensure that emails do not go to spam. To see if you are eligible and learn more about locations and timing visit, www.lakecountyil.gov/vaccine.
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The CDC recently updated their guidance for in-person learning in K-12 schools. As a result, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) updated local guidance. The guidance reflects the latest science on physical distancing between students in the classroom. It is recommended that students remain at least 3 feet apart in classrooms and continue wearing masks.
The CDC continues to recommend at least 6 feet of distance:
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Between adults in the school building and between adults and students.
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In common areas, such as school lobbies and auditoriums.
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When masks cannot be worn, such as when eating.
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During activities when increased exhalation occurs, such as singing, shouting, band practice, sports, or exercise. These activities should be moved outdoors or to large, well-ventilated spaces whenever possible.
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In community settings outside of the classroom.
Myths about the COVID-19 vaccine spread quickly on places like social media without being true. Misinformation can create doubt and fear which can have deadly consequences during the pandemic. Make sure to check the source of what you’re sharing before you post. For sharable Myth vs. Fact graphics, visit our COVID-19 Vaccine webpage.
Moderna recently began studying their COVID-19 vaccine in children aged 6 months to 11 years. Moderna is conducting these trials in collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a division of the Department of Health and Human Services. They previously launched a trial in December of 2020 for children age 12 – 17 years old involving 3,000 adolescents.
Pfizer/BioNTech enrolled over 2,200 children age 12-15 in clinical trials for their COVID-19 vaccine in January. Johnson and Johnson are making plans to expand their COVID-19 vaccine trials to children.
Results for all these trials are forthcoming at a later, unspecified, date. We will keep you updated as more information is shared.
There is a wealth of information about the COVID-19 vaccines that can cause confusion, concern, or lead to questions. It is best to listen and acknowledge family and friends concerns so they know they have been heard. If they are open to acquiring information, offer them reputable resources to get the answers they need. These resources include:
Offer to help friends and family to schedule a vaccine when they are eligible. The process can be overwhelming for some.
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State-run Community-Based Testing Sites located in Waukegan (102 W. Water St.), Arlington Heights (2000 W Euclid Ave.), and Rockford (1601 Parkview Ave.) are now open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Testing at these sites is free. These sites have drive-through testing, as well as walk-up testing for those who do not have a vehicle or need to use public transportation. Please note, you are not permitted to exit your car to use the walk-up line once you arrive. For more information, visit the IDPH website.
A mobile testing unit run by the IDPH will be in Lake County on these dates:
Thursday, April 1, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Mundelein Metra Station
205 N. Archer Ave., Mundelein
Friday, April 2, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Highland Park Metra Station
1700 St. John’s Ave., Highland Park, IL
Testing is free and open to all regardless of symptoms. A phone number and name are required in order to receive testing results. Photo identification and proof of insurance are helpful, but not required. High demand for testing may result in long wait times. Testing locations may close early due to inclement weather or if daily testing supplies are exhausted. Additional COVID-19 testing locations and information can be found at the IDPH website.
As of March 26, 2021, 56,244 Lake County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, including 948 deaths.
Our Coronavirus Data Hub provides data and resources for our county, including cases and deaths, tests performed, demographic data, and an interactive map and charts.
View the Lake County, IL Coronavirus Data Hub
Do you have questions? The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has established a COVID-19 hotline and email address to answer questions from the public:
For additional information from the IDPH, visit: http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus
Lake County AllVax Portal Resources
Visit our AllVax Frequently Asked Questions page to find answers and information about the COVID-19 vaccine in Lake County. Encourage members of the community to register in AllVax utilizing resources from the AllVax Portal Toolkit, including social media messages, guides, print materials, and more.
Community Guidance and Resources
Protect yourself and your community. Our Community Guidance and Resources page has information to help residents stay safe and informed. Specific group information can be found for:
- Businesses and employers
- Communities and faith-based organizations
- First responders and law enforcement
- Healthcare providers and hospitals
- Schools and childcare programs
- Travelers
Communication Resources
We need your help to keep our communities healthy and safe. The Lake County Health Department, Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer free communication resources including fact sheets, flyers, posters, and videos.
Join the Medical Reserve Corps
The Lake County Health Department is in need of volunteers with a valid medical license to fill roles as vaccinators, vaccine mixers, and wellness check observers at our mass vaccination sites. Visit our Lake County Medical Reserve Corps page to learn more.
Become a Community Health Ambassador
Community Health Ambassadors play a key role in helping our community members get vaccinated by sharing resources, answering FAQs, and encouraging community members to register on AllVax. Visit the Community Health Ambassador page for more information and to register.
Additional Ways to Help
Visit Lake County Health Departments How You Can Help page to find additional opportunities to donate or volunteer.
Forwarded this email? Sign up to receive COVID-19 updates directly from the Lake County Health Department.
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