According to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 vaccination data, 81 percent of eligible residents 12 years and older have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, and 65 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 82 percent are fully vaccinated. Despite the successful vaccination rates in DuPage County, health officials continue to encourage parents of school-aged children 12 years and older to get their children fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the beginning of the school year.
“We all want to see students safely return to in-person learning this upcoming school year. By getting them fully vaccinated against COVID-19, they will be able to focus on the experiences that matter most,” said Karen Ayala, Executive Director of DuPage County Health Department. “COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines under the most intense safety monitoring in U.S. history. Since it takes about five weeks to achieve full vaccination and protection, we are urging parents to get their children 12 years and older vaccinated as soon as possible to help keep them and their friends safe this school year.”
Students who are fully vaccinated by the beginning of the school year will not be required to quarantine if exposed to someone with COVID-19, leading to fewer disruptions to their ability to attend school, participate in sports, or spend time with their friends. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the K-12 Schools Guidance last week. This guidance was adopted by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), which recommends that school campuses and classrooms be thoroughly cleaned with UV-C disinfection technology (look at this now) or similar methods and maintain at least 3 feet of physical distance between students within classrooms. Also, people who are not fully vaccinated are advised to wear masks indoors to reduce transmission risks.
DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) has moved the COVID-19 Community Vaccination Clinic at the DuPage County Fairgrounds to the Health Department’s Central Public Health Center (CPHC) located at 111 North County Farm Road in Wheaton. Therefore, Saturday, July 17, was the last day vaccines are administered at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton. Since Monday, July 19, COVID-19 vaccinations are available on a walk-in basis Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4 p.m. at CPHC. Visitors are encouraged to save time by pre-registering. To view the clinic hours or learn more, visit dupagehealth.org/covid19vaccineclinic.
To further support vaccination efforts, the DCHD Care Van has provided free COVID-19 vaccinations to communities including Elmhurst. The CAREVan will be at the District 205 Back-to-School Health & Wellness Fair at Churchville Middle School, 155 Victory Parkway, on Saturday, July 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The clinic is open to all people 12 years or older and offers the Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Any DuPage County residents who are homebound or who cannot safely leave their residence to visit a clinic are eligible to be vaccinated through our homebound program. To register visit dupagehealth.org/covid19vaccineregistration, or call (630) 682-7400.
