Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle, Health Officials Launch Saturday Vaccination Clinics Plus Partner Clinics 

The purpose of the Saturday clinics, offered in partnership with Cook County Health and CountyCare, is to protect suburban Cook County residents from respiratory viruses by making it easy for residents to get flu and COVID vaccinations in or near their communities. 

“Building healthier communities and closing the health disparities that persist across Cook County remain one of our top priorities,” said President Preckwinkle. “Too often, your zip code, your income or your work schedule determines whether you can see a doctor or get a vaccine. These Saturday clinics are one way we’re removing those barriers and making sure every resident has a fair shot at staying healthy.” 

Starting Saturday, Oct. 17 through the end of February, the vaccination clinics will occur on certain Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at five Cook County Health ambulatory health centers located in Arlington Heights, North Riverside, Blue Island, Ford Heights and Robbins, Il.  Suburban Cook County residents ages 6 months and older who either have Medicaid or who are uninsured can get vaccinated, regardless of immigration status. No appointment is necessary for the clinics, but residents should bring a form of I.D.  

“Every year, we see people become seriously ill from respiratory viruses, including people who were otherwise healthy,” said Dr. Erik Mikaitis, Cook County Health CEO. “Some require emergency care or hospitalization. Tragically, some lose their lives. We want people to understand that getting vaccinated is not just about avoiding the flu or COVID. It is about preventing serious illness and even death.” 

The Saturday clinics coincide with the public health department’s new awareness campaign called: “Spread facts, not flu, COVID or RSV.” The campaign, consisting of Pace bus and digital ads, encourages suburban Cook County residents to protect themselves and their families from respiratory illness by getting vaccinated. The campaign, described more in this press release, also encourages residents to believe the facts, not myths, about vaccination.  

“We know that people have questions about vaccines and are hearing conflicting information from social media, friends, family and other sources,” said Dr. Kiran Joshi, chief operating officer of Cook County Department of Public Health. “Our goal with this campaign is to ensure suburban Cook County residents know vaccines are carefully studied to confirm they are safe and have spared millions of people from the effects of deadly diseases.” 

In addition to Saturday clinics, Cook County Department of Public Health is offering partner vaccination clinics in collaboration with community-based organizations throughout suburban Cook County.  At the partner clinics, flu and COVID vaccines will be offered to individuals that are either uninsured, have Medicaid or have private insurance. Community clinics are funded by the Illinois Department of Public Health and may also offer school-required childhood vaccines in addition to flu and COVID shots. All community clinics are free and open to the public and are listed here.  

Cook County Department of Public Health also invites community organizations, schools, places of worship and municipalities to request a free vaccination clinic for the communities they serve. Learn more about hosting a vaccination clinic here: https://cookcountypublichealth.org/communicable-diseases/vaccination-clinic-request-form/. 

In 2025, Only 29.1% of Cook County residents were vaccinated against the flu, and only 11.9% of residents were vaccinated against COVID in 2025, according to Illinois Department of Public Health Data. Vaccination rates for Black and Hispanic residents are disproportionately lower for both COVID and flu vaccinations. 

Access the full schedule of flu and COVID vaccination clinics in suburban Cook County here: Flu and COVID Vaccination Clinics – Cook County Department of Public Health.