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DuPage County continues to see increased COVID-19 cases and individuals requiring hospitalization causing the county to remain at the highest level of Community Transmission, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) reminds residents that vaccines continue to provide the highest level of protection against COVID-19, including the Delta variant, and help prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death, according to a DCHD news release.
According to the latest CDC COVID-19 vaccination data, 87% of eligible residents 12 years and older in DuPage County have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, and 70% are fully vaccinated.
Of residents 65 years and older, 99.9% have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, and 84% percent are fully vaccinated. However, among 12- to 17-year-olds in DuPage County, 77% have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, and only 58% are fully vaccinated. To help reduce spread in schools and the community, all unvaccinated persons aged 12 years and older are urged to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible, according to the release.
Currently, individuals with moderately to severely compromised immune systems are recommended to receive a third dose of a mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals who believe they are eligible for a third vaccine dose should talk to their healthcare provider. Third-dose vaccinations are available through local pharmacies or healthcare providers and can be given 28 days after receiving the second dose, the release stated.
The DCHD is actively monitoring the situation regarding COVID-19 boosters for fully vaccinated people. Although booster shots are expected to begin this fall, the FDA must first authorize a third dose of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines and the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) must issue booster dose recommendations based on the evidence presented. As more information becomes available in the coming weeks, DCHD will share additional updates.
For more information on COVID-19 in DuPage County, visit www.dupagehealth.org/covid19. Anyone age 12 or older can find free vaccination opportunities near them by visiting www.vaccines.gov.
For general questions about COVID-19 and Illinois’ response and guidance, call 1-800-889-3931 or emailDPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV.