 On October 20, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended and expanded the Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for all available COVID-19 vaccines. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met on Thursday, October 21, and released a statement aligning with the FDA recommendations. The amended EUA’s are as follows:
Those that received Moderna are eligible for a booster six months after completing the primary two-dose series if they are:
- 65+ years old, or
- 18-64 years old at high risk of severe COVID-19, or
- 18-64 years old with an increased risk of COVID-19 exposure because of occupational or institutional settings.
Those that received Johnson & Johnson as their primary vaccine are eligible for a booster if they are:
- 18+ years old, and
- at least two months out from their primary dose
Those that received Pfizer-BioNTech are eligible for a booster six months after completing the primary two-dose series if they are:
- 65+ years old, or
- 18-64 years old at high risk of severe COVID-19, or
- 18-64 years old with an increased risk of COVID-19 exposure because of occupational or institutional settings.
The FDA also authorized the use of a mix and match booster dose. Eligible individuals can receive a different booster shot than the one they received in their primary series. More information about COVID-19 boosters, in general, can be found on the CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot page.
If you are eligible for a COVID-19 booster, bring your COVID-19 vaccination card with you to document the information about your booster dose. For additional information about COVID-19 vaccination cards, visit the CDC page Getting Your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card.
As a reminder, individuals who have received their primary COVID-19 vaccine series continue to be well protected against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Lake County Health Department community and mobile vaccination sites will continue to provide first and second doses. If you have not yet received your COVID-19 vaccine, now is a great time to do so. Visit our AllVax Find A Vaccine page for locations near you.
The flu season is here and it is important to get your seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible. It is recommended that everyone ages 6 months and older get the flu shot. On Vaccines.gov you can find both COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot locations near you.
The best way to reduce your risk of getting the flu or COVID-19 is to get your vaccines. The flu shot and a COVID-19 vaccination can be administered at the same time. Please note that the flu shot will not protect you from COVID-19 and getting vaccinated against COVID-19 will not protect you from the flu.
The flu and COVID-19 are not the same virus, though some symptoms can be similar and they are both contagious. For information on both COVID-19 and the flu, visit the CDC’s Similarities and Differences between Flu and COVID-19. Detailed information about each virus can be found by visiting the individual pages for Flu Symptoms and Symptoms of COVID-19. Getting tested can help to determine if you have the flu or COVID-19, if you become sick.
Find a flu shot or COVID-19 vaccine location near you by visiting Vaccines.gov.
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As the holiday season approaches, it is important to minimize the spread of COVID-19 while enjoying the holiday season. The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to get vaccinated if eligible. Take steps to protect those that cannot be vaccinated, such as young children, or those who may be immunocompromised and at greater risk of severe illness. Wear a mask when in public setting in areas with substantial to high transmission regardless of vaccination status. If you are sick or have symptoms, stay home and get tested. If you plan on traveling during the holidays, please visit the CDC’s Travel page for information on the safest way to travel. It is still recommended that travel be delayed until you are fully vaccinated.
All considerations for celebrating the holidays safely can be found on the CDC’s Holiday Celebrations page.
 Mobile vaccination sites are located throughout Lake County. Locations and hours are posted weekly on our Facebook and Instagram page. You can register in advance at vaccinefinder.org or walk-in during the hours listed.
On October 11, Merck submitted an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the use of its oral antiviral medicine, molnupiravir. The medicine is for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults who are at risk of developing a severe case of COVID-19. The results of the administration of molnupiravir show that it reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by approximately 50 percent.
The FDA announced on October 14, that their Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee (AMDAC) will discuss Merck’s request for a EUA on November 30.
Read each press release from Merck and the FDA for more information.
Ivermectin has not been proven or authorized to treat COVID-19. Ivermectin is approved to treat or prevent parasites in animals. It has also been approved for humans at very specific doses to treat some parasitic worms and there are some topical formulas for head lice and some skin conditions like rosacea. Current data shows that ivermectin is not effective against COVID-19. Taking a large dose is dangerous and can be toxic. Improperly taking ivermectin can have severe side effects including confusion, coma, seizures, and death.
For more information on Ivermectin and COVID-19, view the infographic.
The best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated with one of the authorized COVID-19 vaccines. To find a location near you to get a COVID-19 vaccine, visit the AllVax Find A Vaccine page.
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Domestic Violence Awareness Month occurs every October. It is time to raise awareness about the signs of abuse, ways to stop it, and resources available to those that need them. Resources are needed more than ever as more people stay home to stop the spread of COVID-19. Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence; a friend, family member, or coworker. Domestic violence is not always physical abuse, but can also be emotional, verbal, economic, and/or sexual. If you or someone you love is a victim of domestic violence, reach out. There are resources available in Lake County as well as nationally. Resources available in Lake County include A Safe Place. Their crisis line, 800-600-SAFE (7233), is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Additionally, people can visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline for more information and resources. You can contact them by phone (Call: 800-799-SAFE(7233) or text START to 88788) or through live chat.
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As more families spend time in their home due to COVID-19 and the change in the weather, the chances of exposure to lead can increase. Next week, October 24 – 30, is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. This next week was established to increase lead poisoning prevention awareness in the hopes of reducing childhood lead exposure. Lead exposure is more harmful to children six years old and under because their bodies are still developing and growing rapidly. Lead exposure in children can harm their:
- Brain and nervous system
- Growth and development
- Learning and behavior
- Hearing and speech
These problems can then cause a lower IQ, decreased ability to pay attention, and underperformance in school. Childhood lead poisoning is 100% preventable. There are two ways to support lead prevention. The first way is to remove lead hazards from the environment before a child is exposed. The second way is to get a blood lead test if a child may have already been exposed to lead. Getting tested will yield results and your child’s healthcare provider can recommend follow-up actions and care if needed.
Children with elevated lead blood levels in Lake County can contact the Health Department’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention program.
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- As of October 22, 2021, over 862,600 vaccine doses have been administered to Lake County residents and 412,212 residents (58.82% of the population) have been fully vaccinated.
- Over 89.7% of Lake County seniors ages 65 and older and 71.1% of those age 18-64 have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
- The county is averaging 1,657 doses administered per day on a 7-day rolling average.
- As of October 22, 2021, 72,311 Lake County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, including 1,092 deaths.
View the Lake County, IL Coronavirus Data Hub
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?
State-run Community-Based Testing Sites located in Waukegan (102 W. Water St.), Arlington Heights (823 Wilke Rd.), and Rockford (1321 Sandy Hollow Rd.) 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.
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.
Public Health Navigator Program
If you or someone you know is struggling with meeting their health and other needs, the Lake County Health Department is here to help! We have two new teams of Case Managers and Community Health Workers dedicated to helping community members access and utilize the resources and support they need, including:
- COVID-19 vaccine education and sign-up
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Access to medical care
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Health education and support
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Food and medicine delivery for families in quarantine and isolation
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Transportation assistance for medical visits
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Access to food support
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Rent and utility assistance
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Mental health support
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Immigration support
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And more!
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.
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