MOBILE VACCINATION PROGRAM TO INOCULATE UP TO 2,000 RESIDENTS AT MUSLIM COMMUNITY CENTER

Community Groups Key to Overall Vaccination Goals 

Forest Park, IL—The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH)’s Mobile Vaccination Program today stopped at the Muslim Community Center in Morton Grove to vaccinate up to 2,000 residents, one of the largest one-day mobile events to date. With suburban Cook County into Phase 2 – all residents age 16 and older eligible for vaccine – the CCDPH mobile program and the work of community groups and leaders, such as MCC are increasingly important. 

“We thank the Muslim Community Center for hosting us today and vaccinating hundreds of our residents – this type of leadership is what is going to get us across the finish line in the fight against COVID,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “We are grateful for all community groups, the mobile teams, volunteers and all residents who are helping us get back to normal – we truly cannot do it without you.” 

The Phase 2 group of those age 16 and older comprise about 1.4 million residents – by far the largest group to date. Despite the growing demand that the expansion will drive, CCDPH is ready to meet the challenge. 

“Cook County Health has administered about 400,000 vaccine doses in suburban Cook County. As we approach one million doses overall CCDPH’s jurisdiction, we know it truly takes the community as a whole to reach our goals,” said Israel Rocha, CEO, Cook County Health.  

As vaccine supply has increased and more people became available, CCDPH has expanding its vaccine delivery system. 

“We talk a lot about herd immunity, which is the ultimate goal, but the truth is if we can’t reach vulnerable populations and don’t make the extra effort to ensure communities that tend to get left behind are included in our efforts, then we have not succeeded,” said Dr. Kiran Joshi, Senior Medical Officer and Co-Lead of CCDPH. “We’re proud to be here today a