 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 boosters for all adults, 18 and older. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met Friday, November 19, and released a statement aligning with FDA recommendations. Both CDC and IDPH recommend booster doses for all eligible individuals. Any adult, 18 and older, who has received their second dose at least six months ago will now be eligible to get a Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 booster shot. If eligible, visit Vaccines.gov to schedule an appointment near you.
 It is highly recommended to schedule your child’s COVID-19 vaccine appointment ahead of time. There is a high demand for this age group. To ensure your child gets vaccinated at a time that is convenient for you, we recommend scheduling an appointment at your preferred location.
Take the following steps to get your child vaccinated:
- Contact your child’s pediatrician or your family doctor.
- Check with your local pharmacy.
- Look for communication from your child’s school about upcoming vaccination clinics.
- Register on AllVax to schedule an appointment through the Lake County Health Department. Limited appointments will be available at our Grand Avenue Health Center and Midlakes Health Center. Call (847) 377-8130 for more information.
- Visit Vaccines.gov to find a provider near you that may have pediatric vaccines available.
We hope everyone enjoys a happy and healthy Thanksgiving! It is important to stay protected during the upcoming fall and winter holidays. This year’s gatherings can be safer now that many are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Even though it is too late to be fully vaccinated before Thanksgiving, we still encourage all that are eligible to get vaccinated as soon as they are able. Getting vaccinated now will ensure you are fully-vaccinated by the December holidays. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones. The following are the exact dates people would need to get vaccinated with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to be fully vaccinated by these specific holidays:
 Remember to take steps to stay protected if you are gathering with loved ones. If you or a family member is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, it is best to stay home to avoid the potential of infecting others. For additional travel and gathering considerations to celebrate the holidays safely, visit the Illinois Department of Public Health Holiday Season Guidance page and the CDC’s Holiday Celebrations page.
On Tuesday, November 16, Pfizer announced they are seeking Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the FDA for the use of their oral antiviral COVID-19 pill. The antiviral pill, called Paxlovid, was found to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death by 89% in people with mild to moderate COVID-19 infections. This treatment would be prescribed as an at-home treatment at the first sign of infection to high-risk patients. The pill would be taken twice daily, for five days.
Visit Pfizer’s study results and Pfizer’s request for authorization for more information.
Yesterday, November 18, was the Great American Smokeout. For more than 40 years, the American Cancer Society has hosted the Great American Smokeout on the third Thursday of November. The Great American Smokeout is an opportunity for people who smoke to commit to healthy, smoke-free lives – not just for a day, but year-round.
While cigarette smoking rates have dropped, about 37.8 million Americans smoke cigarettes. About half of all Americans who keep smoking will die because of their smoking. Those who smoke are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
We know that quitting smoking can be difficult and even scary. There are resources available to help! Learn about the Lake County Health Department’s Tobacco Free Lake County program. You can make an appointment with our Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist (CTTS): 847-377-8090, TFLC@lakecountyil.gov
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Keep yourself and your family healthy in 2022. Open enrollment began on Monday, November 1, 2021, and will run through Saturday, January 15, 2022. Below is a list of important dates to consider if enrolling in health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace,
December 15, 2021: Last day to enroll in or change plans for 2022 coverage that starts January 1, 2022.
January 1, 2022: 2022 coverage starts, if you've enrolled by December 15, 2021, and paid your first premium.
January 15, 2022: Last day to enroll in or change plans for 2022 coverage. After this date, you can enroll or change plans only if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
February 1, 2022: 2022 coverage starts if you enrolled by January 15, 2022, and you've paid your first premium.
Visit HealthCare.gov for more information about getting coverage.
If you do not have a health care provider and are interested in receiving services from the Lake County Health Department, call 847-377-8000 to learn more.
- As of November 19, 2021, over 960,400 vaccine doses have been administered to Lake County residents and 419,488 residents (59.86% of the population) have been fully vaccinated.
- Over 94.7% of Lake County seniors ages 65 and older and 73.7% of those age 18-64 have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
- The county is averaging 3,964 doses administered per day on a 7-day rolling average.
- As of November 19, 2021, 75,726 Lake County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, including 1,108 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: https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19.html
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.
Forwarded this email? Sign up to receive COVID-19 updates directly from the Lake County Health Department.
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