Initial, but limited, shipments of the vaccine are anticipated to be received this month. This initial vaccine will be administered to front-line healthcare workers, long-term care residents and Skokie’s first responders. The vaccine supply is projected to increase quickly over the coming weeks and months, allowing Skokie’s vaccination efforts to be expanded to include additional critical populations and the general public.
When the vaccine is readily available, Health and Human Services will be opening a public clinic where vaccine will be administered to Skokie residents by appointment. Planning is underway and information regarding how to register, dates and times will be shared by the Village when available in future editions of SkokieNews and at
www.skokie.org.
For decades, the Health Department has conducted community flu vaccination clinics. During the H1N1 health crisis in 2009, the Skokie Health Department was one of the first local health departments to receive vaccine, and Health Department staff coordinated a series of vaccination clinics to administer some 40,000 doses of the vaccine. The Health and Human Services Department is working with numerous community partners to ensure that the COVID-19 vaccination clinics run smoothly to best serve the community.
The public is advised to continue to take precautions. The 3 W’s are: Wear a mask, Wash your hands and Watch your social distance. Avoid social gatherings and get tested if you think you have been exposed.