Coronavirus (COVID-19) Newsletter — April 30, 2021

April 30, 2021  |  View as a webpage  |  Translate

COVID-19 Update

Dear Resident,

Thanks to a dramatic increase in our vaccine supply, it is easier than ever to schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine. All people ages 16 and older who register on our AllVax Portal and live or work in Lake County, Illinois are now automatically able to schedule an appointment. This means no more waiting!

Act now! We urge everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible. The vaccine protects your health and helps protect others as well. It is the best tool we have to put an end to the pandemic.

If you know anyone who needs help registering, have them call our AllVax support team at (847) 377-8130, or send an email to AllVax@lakecountyil.gov.

Let’s get back to the things we all love. Be sure to spread the word and encourage your friends and neighbors to get vaccinated!

Have a great weekend,
Lake County Health Department

VaxFacts
  • As of April 30, over 477,800 vaccine doses have been administered to Lake County residents and 200,464 residents 28.6% of the population) have been fully vaccinated. Over 77.44% of Lake County seniors ages 65 and older and 43.08% of those age 16-64 have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The county is averaging 5,825 doses administered per day on a 7-day rolling average.
  • This week alone, we received nearly 47,000 first doses of the vaccine, a 39% increase from last week.
  • On April 23, Lake County resumed use of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food & Drug Administration (FDA).  Please note that our J&J vaccine supply is still very limited.
  • On April 27, the CDC announced that fully vaccinated persons can go without masks outdoors, except in crowed public settings. They also could take less precautions indoors than an unvaccinated person. Learn more
  • Saturday, May 1, 2021, the Lake County Fairgrounds will offer walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons. Read the full press release for more information.  
  • Starting May 5, the Lake County Fairgrounds vaccination site will offer evening appointments every Wednesday until 7 p.m.
  • Thousands of appointments are available at sites run by our partners located in Deerfield, Grayslake, Round Lake, Waukegan, and Zion. Details are updated regularly on our website, Find a Vaccine.

Open Eligibility in AllVax

As of April 27, anyone who lives or works in Lake County ages 16 and older, who register on the AllVax Portal, are now eligible to schedule an appointment for their COVID-19 vaccine at a Lake County vaccination site. Registration is free, easy, and secure. People who need help registering may call (847) 377-8130 or email AllVax@lakecountyil.gov.

People who have received a first dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines at another location may also schedule an appointment for their second dose at a Lake County vaccination site through AllVax. It is important to get both doses in order for these vaccines to be effective. Please register on AllVax, and call (847) 377-8130 if you need assistance.

There are many opportunities for Lake County residents to access a COVID-19 vaccine. Check out our website to find a vaccine most convenient for you.

Read the full press release.

Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine Update

As of April 23, 2021, the CDC, FDA, and IDPH once again recommend the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine in the United States for individuals age 18 and older. After thoroughly reviewing the data, the FDA and CDC have confidence that this vaccine is safe and effective in preventing COVID-19.

Adverse reactions to the vaccine are extremely rare. The previous pause illustrates the value of public health vaccine monitoring. The chances of contracting a possibly life-threatening case of COVID-19 are much higher than the odds of having serious side effects from the vaccine.

Learn more on the CDC’s website.

Johnson and Johnson Frequently Asked Questions 

How likely is it that someone would have an adverse reaction to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?

Adverse reactions to the vaccine are extremely rare. Your odds of contracting a possibly life-threatening case of COVID-19 are much higher than your odds of serious side effects from the vaccine. 

The risk of blood clots from COVID-19 illness is 165,000 per million cases. The risk of this rare blood clotting disorder after getting the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is estimated at fewer than 1 case per million for men and for women who are 50 years or older, and about 7 cases per million for women age 18 to 49. 

I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine recently, do I need to worry?

We understand that this news may cause concern. Millions of people have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine with no serious side effects. Serious reactions are extremely rare. The CDC says that if you got the vaccine several weeks ago, your current risk of a reaction is very low.   

What symptoms should I watch for if I get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?

People who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine who develop shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling, persistent abdominal pain, severe or persistent headaches or blurred vision, easy bruising or tiny blood spots under the skin beyond the site of the injection should seek medical attention right away. Patients with other clinical questions should contact their health care provider.

Don’t Skip Your Second COVID-19 Vaccine Dose!

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It is important to get both doses of the COVID-18 vaccine if the vaccine you receive requires two doses (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna). All of the authorized COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and reduce your risk of severe illness.  

The side effects you may feel from either of the two dose COVID-19 vaccines demonstrate that your immune system is working to build its defenses against COVID-19. Alternatively, if your body does not exhibit any reaction after receiving the COVID-19 vaccines, that is not an indication that they are not working. Everyone's body reacts differently.

Read more about Possible Side Effects After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine from the CDC.

It is important to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to help slow the spread and keep yourself and the ones you love safe.

More information about the two dose vaccines can be found on the CDC page COVID-19 Vaccines that Require 2 Shots.  

Mask Guidance Updates

safer activities guide

Masks remain an effective barrier to prevent the spread of respiratory droplets from person to person. The CDC recently updated their guidance on masks for fully vaccinated people. A person is fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine or after receiving the second dose from the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.

Fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask outdoors unless in crowded settings. Other recommendations for fully vaccinated people include foregoing a mask while:

  • Walking, running, rolling or biking outdoors alone or with members of their household
  • Attending small outdoor gatherings with fully vaccinated family and friends
  • Attending small outdoor gatherings with fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people
  • Dining at an outdoor restaurant with friends from multiple households

A fully vaccinated person still needs to wear a mask when attending a crowded, outdoor event, like a live performance, parade, or sports event.

The CDC offers more information about mask guidance on their Choosing Safer Activities page.

Vaccinations for Young People

Even though the school year is ending soon, it is never too early to plan for fall vaccinations. Students at different grade levels have different requirements when it comes to immunizations, but all young people should keep in mind some general guidelines:

  • Confirm with your healthcare provider about what immunizations you may need and check your school’s requirements before the start of the school year. The CDC provides a Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule for ages 19 years and older.
  • Make sure you space out your vaccinations. At this time, one should not get a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as other vaccines. You should wait at least 14 days before or after getting a COVID-19 vaccine to schedule any other vaccines, including a flu shot.

Read more on the CDC page about Getting Your COVID-19 Vaccine.  

Volunteer Week

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This week we recognized and celebrated the many volunteers that have helped vaccinate our community. Without their time and talents we would not be where we are now. We sincerely thank all that sent in their notes of appreciation.

Our volunteers were so grateful to hear from the community! Vaccinating our county is a huge effort and we could not do it with out our volunteers! Check out some pictures from volunteer week on our Facebook page

COVID-19 Testing

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone who has it, getting tested can help you know what steps to take to keep your loved ones safe. 

Where can I get tested?   

Contact your doctor to ask about testing availability, or check the Lake County Testing Site Locator for options.   

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 open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Testing is free and open to all regardless of symptoms. 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. 

Know Before You Go 

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. 

If you were recently tested at a mobile COVID-19 testing site and you have not been contacted within 7 days, please call 888-297-7208 or visit https://idph-mychart.pchosted.com/idph/Authentication/Login. 

Lake County COVID-19 Cases

As of April 30, 2021, 59,695 Lake County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, including 967 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 

3 Ws Graphic - Lake County Health Department - English

Who to Contact if You Have Questions

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

COVID-19 Resources

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.

Get Involved

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.

Useful Links

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