Media contact: Yolanda Harris, [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 4, 2025
Free Flu and COVID Vaccination Clinics Extended for Suburban Cook County Residents
Very high flu activity, low vaccination rates tackled with clinics, robocalls and social media
FOREST PARK, IL – In an effort to tackle very high flu activity and low vaccination rates in suburban Cook County, Cook County Department of Public Health, Cook County Health and CountyCare are expanding their Saturday vaccination clinics in Arlington Heights, Robbins, Blue Island and Cottage Grove.
For the week ending Jan. 25, suburban Cook County experienced its first pediatric flu death of the season. Influenza activity was very high during the period, with 21.7 % of all flu tests yielding positive results for flu, according to Cook County Department of Public Health data. That’s more than double the percent positivity this time last year, when the percent positivity for flu was 7.9%.*
“It’s imperative that we get vaccination rates up in Cook County,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “Vaccination clinics make it easy for people throughout Cook County to get up-to-date on their flu and COVID-19 shots. Vaccination is a simple, but powerful step we can all take to save lives.”
The health department began offering free COVID and flu vaccinations at the Saturday clinics in five suburban communities starting in October. More than 1,600 doses have been administered since the clinics began. High flu activity and low vaccinations rates in suburban Cook County, particularly among Black and Hispanic residents, led health officials to extend the clinics through March.
“We are still in the thick of flu season, and it’s not too late to get vaccinated. Vaccines have a direct impact in reducing hospitalizations and fatalities from these viruses. Getting vaccinated remains one of the most effective ways we can protect ourselves, our families, and our communities,” said Dr. Erik Mikaitis, Cook County Health CEO.
“Vaccination could prevent you from getting severely sick and even dying from a respiratory illness,” said Dr. Kiran Joshi, interim chief operating officer of Cook County Department of Public Health.
“Everyone ages 6 months and older should get updated influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations annually. Yearly vaccines help protect you against the latest version of the viruses that are circulating.”
Overall, only an estimated 12.3% of Cook County residents have received updated COVID-19 vaccinations, according to Illinois public health data , and only an estimated 26.5% of
Cook County residents are vaccinated against the flu. The flu vaccination rates for Black (14.5%) and Hispanic (18.3%) residents are even lower.
Low vaccinations rates are especially concerning when emergency room visits and hospital visits for flu in suburban Cook County are higher than last year’s peak. Most hospital ICU admissions for flu are from adults over age 45.
COVID-19 activity for the week ending Jan. 25 was low, with 8.0% of all COVID-19 tests yielding positive results for COVID. With a percent positivity of 5.9%, RSV activity remains moderate but has begun to decrease. Emergency room visits and hospital admissions for RSV are trending downward.
Last week, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle began promoting the Saturday vaccination clinics via robocalling to the homes in the vicinity of the clinics. Cook County Department of Public Health recently launched a digital and social media campaign consisting of videos and fact sheets to dispel common myths about vaccinations.
At the Saturday vaccination clinics, children as young as six months and adults can receive COVID-19 and flu vaccines at no cost, regardless of insurance coverage or immigration status. No appointments are necessary. Residents are asked to bring a form of I.D. and an insurance card (if available). Learn more about the Saturday vaccination clinics here. The clinics will continue in the following locations and on the following dates:
Extended Vaccination Clinics (held on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
| Clinic | Clinic Location | Dates of Vaccination Clinics |
| Blue Island Health Center | 12757 South Western Ave. Blue Island, IL 60406 |
Feb. 1 March 1 |
| Cottage Grove Health Center | 1645 South Cottage Grove Ave., Ford Heights, IL 60401 |
Feb. 8 March 8 |
| Robbins Health Center | 13450 South Kedzie Ave Robbins, IL 60472 |
Feb. 15 March 15 |
| Arlington Heights Health Center | 3250 North Arlington Heights Road, Suite 300 Arlington Heights, IL 60004 |
Feb. 22 March 22 |
*Cook County Department of Public Health publishes updated data on respiratory illnesses weekly. The next update will be Friday, Feb. 7.
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