Lake Co. Vaccination Rate For Eligible Residents Nears 70%

LAKE COUNTY, IL — In Lake County, nearly 70 percent of residents who can get the COVID-19 vaccine have, according to health officials.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's COVID data tracker shows 69.6 percent of residents in Lake County over the age of 12 years old have been fully vaccinated against the virus. The vaccination rate is among the highest in the Chicago.

Currently, the vaccine is only available for those over the age of 12 years.

Here is a look at how many residents who are eligible for the vaccine have received it:

• McHenry County: 61.6 percent fully vaccinated
• Cook County: 65.7 percent
• DuPage County: 72.2 percent
• Kendall County: 63.9 percent
• Will County: 62.8 percent
• Kane County: 61.8 percent

Comparably speaking, downstate has counties where less than 35 percent of eligible residents have received the vaccine. State health officials continue to urge vaccination to prevent the spread of the virus and more deaths and hospitalizations.

In recent months, hospitalizations have been on the rise due to a surge in the delta variant, and younger people, most who have not received their vaccine, have been among those hardest hit. This fourth surge of the virus has led to burn out for doctors and nurses, Dr. Dipul Patadia, chief medical officer for Advocate Condell Medical Center, told Patch last month.

"I couldn't be prouder of our team. They have risen to every challenge and demonstrated courage, compassion and resilience over the last 18 months," Patadia said. "This surge has certainly placed a huge demand and burden on them, which is why we are prioritizing team members' well-being and resiliency, and we are committed to supporting our team members with resources to help manage their stress and anxiety."

• 4th Surge Leading To 'Burnout' For Doctors, Nurses

In Illinois, .3 percent of the population who is fully vaccinated have been hospitalized because of the coronavirus and .009 percent of vaccinated patients have died, according to recent Illinois Department of Public Health data on "breakthrough" infections.

Last week, state health officials announced 19,244 new confirmed and probable cases of the virus in Illinois. Between Oct. 1 and 7, 209 more people died, bringing the total deaths in the state to 25,244. In Lake County, there's been 761 new cases of the virus and less than 10 deaths, according to the CDC data tracker.

The Lake County Health Department continues to offer first and second doses of the vaccine as do several retails and pharmacy locations across the county. On Monday, the Regional Vaccination Site at 102 W. Water Street in Waukegan closed.

During its time open, more than 8,805 Lake County residents received their vaccine at the site, said Mark Pfister, executive director of the Lake County Health Department.

“I am confident that we have a strong infrastructure in place between our department, pharmacies, healthcare providers, and community partners to continue vaccinating individuals across Lake County," Pfister said.

Other health department vaccine sites still open include:

• Grand Avenue Health Center, 3010 Grand Avenue, Waukegan
  • Walk-ins and appointments available: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday – 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Thursday – 8:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Midlakes Health Center, 224 Clarendon Road, Round Lake Beach
  • Walk-ins and appointments available: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday – 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; 1:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Zion Health Center, 1911 27th Street, Zion
  • Walk-ins and appointments available: Monday and Friday – 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; 1:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

More information on where you can find a COVID-19 vaccine can be found here: www.vaccines.gov.

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