DuPage County reports that over 18,000 healthcare workers have received COVID-19 vaccine, second dose to start this week

DUPAGE COUNTY – Over 18,000 healthcare workers who live or work in DuPage County have been vaccinated as of Monday, the county health department announced Wednesday in a news release.

The county reported that over 27,000 doses of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines have been received and distributed in DuPage County. Local hospitals are preparing to administer the second dose of vaccines starting this week.

The health department said that it is on track to complete the Phase 1a priority group, including an estimated 43,000 healthcare personnel as well as long-term care facility residents, within the projected eight-week timeline.

The DuPage County Health Department continues to coordinate the receipt and distribution of COVID-19 vaccine throughout DuPage County. As vaccine supply increases and local capacity to administer vaccine expands, the health department expects the rate of vaccination will increase.

“Despite the challenges created by the Christmas and New Year’s holidays coinciding with the first several weeks of vaccine distribution, we are very pleased with the number of vaccines administered to healthcare workers over the past three weeks,” said Karen Ayala, Executive Director of DuPage County Health Department, in a statement. “We are committed to ensuring all healthcare workers have access to this life-saving vaccine and are working to expand access to vaccine as quickly as possible.”

The health department’s COVID-19 vaccine clinics are offering about 1,500 appointments per week for emergency medical services and other healthcare personnel who are not affiliated with hospitals.

The health department is prioritizing administration of vaccine for healthcare personnel currently providing direct patient care services who live, work, or attend school in DuPage County. All healthcare personnel who schedule an appointment will be required to present verification of their healthcare personnel status, i.e., employee ID badge, check stub, state licensure, or certificate at the time of their appointment. Healthcare personnel who are affiliated with a health system are advised to contact their health system to coordinate vaccination.

Ayala said the health department is working closely with the Illinois Department of Public Health as it prepares to launch a statewide registration for individuals to receive the vaccine. The next priority group, Phase 1b, will include

“We also want to assure our residents in the Phase 1b and 1c priority groups — and beyond, that we are working tirelessly to prepare for the major scale effort it will take to vaccinate these groups in an equitable and timely manner. Furthermore, we are working closely with the state as they prepare to launch their statewide registration system. As more updates become available, this information will be shared on our website, social media channels, and weekly newsletter,” stated Ayala.

The Health Department continues to work with partners at all levels, including hospitals, healthcare providers, pharmacies, and community leaders, on equitable, flexible COVID-19 vaccination programs that can accommodate different vaccines and scenarios for all DuPage County populations eligible for vaccination.

Additional information about DuPage County vaccine planning and related updates will be posted at www.dupagehealth.org/covid19vaccine.