Will County Administers Millionth Vaccine Dose Monday

JOLIET, IL — The Will County Health Department on Monday administered its millionth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in the county, the department announced in a news release.

Though the county has administered exactly 1,003,276 vaccines as of Monday, just 420,913 people are fully vaccinated, or 60.32% of the county’s total population, according to the health department website. The county first began administering doses in December 2020.

As of Monday, the county has seen a total of 109,073 total cases since the start of the pandemic, and 1,212 deaths, according to the health department.

The county’s Asian-American population has the highest rate of vaccination, at 75.2% of the population, according to the health department. This is followed by 59.3% of Will County’s white residents, then 47.8% of the African-American population, and 47% of the Latino population.

“Will County has worked diligently through our equity efforts to increase vaccination rates among all populations,” Sue Olenek, Will County Health Department executive director, said in a statement. “Since beginning our equity initiative in May, we have worked to close the gap for minorities and vulnerable populations.”

Olenek also encouraged all eligible residents (anyone over the age of five) to get vaccinated, and for fully vaccinated residents over the age of 16 to get a booster shot.

Appointments can be scheduled at willcountyhealth.org. The health department website provides a list of all county locations providing free vaccines, as well as details about pop-up clinics and recommended doses for each age group.