CCDPH IDENTIFIES 32 PRIORITY COMMUNITIES FOR VACCINATION EQUITY MEASURES – Municipalities chosen by CCVI factors

FOREST PARK, IL—The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) today announced 32 municipalities that will be a focus its equity distribution programs Located mostly in the west and south suburbs of Cook County, these predominantly communities of color have been most adversely impacted by COVID-19. A complete list and their most recent vaccination rates are below.

“We are committed to an equitable distribution of the vaccine with an emphasis on communities that have been most dramatically impacted by COVID to help allow all of our Cook County residents to return to normal life as soon as possible,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.

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CCDPH used the COVID-19 Community Vulnerability Index (CCVI), and Social Vulnerability Index to determine which areas of Cook County to target. Both indexes take into account factors including socioeconomic, household composition & disability, minority status & language, housing type & transportation, pre-existing health conditions and the state of the community’s healthcare system.

“COVID has reinforced the inequities in our society that contribute to poor health outcomes. Our team is committed to ensuring that COVID vaccine is accessible to our most vulnerable communities,’ said Israel Rocha, CEO, Cook County Health. 

The department is working with several dozen community-based organizations (CBOs), private health providers, and others to identify vulnerable residents, particularly in these 32 communities, and to arrange for vaccination appointments for those individuals. 

“CCDPH has identified these communities as our most vulnerable to determine where to strategically direct our programs and resources as we move through the phases,” said Dr. Rachel Rubin, Senior Medical Officer and Co-Lead of the Cook County Department of Public Health.

The county will be reserving appointments specifically for these communities. In addition, the county’s mobile operations have recently expanded to allow for widespread vaccination of residents throughout the county, including these vulnerable communities.

“There is a well-deserved distrust in government and health care systems because of historically racist practices. This means we simply have to work harder to earn back that trust,” said Dr. Kiran Joshi, Senior Medical Officer and Co-Lead, Cook County Department of Public Health.  “Our goal is not just herd immunity, but to do an even better job in communities of color and traditionally underserved regions of our county.”

Approximately 70 percent of the age 65 and over population in suburban Cook County has received at least one vaccine dose. Suburban Cook County will move to phase 1b+  effective Monday, March 22. Phase 1b+ includes individuals 16 years and older with Cancer, Chronic Kidney Disease, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), Diabetes, Heart Conditions, Immunocompromised from organ transplant, Obesity, Pulmonary Disease and Sickle Cell Disease as well as individuals with disabilities, pregnant women and smokers.

For the latest COVID-19 vaccination information in suburban Cook County, visit https://cookcountypublichealth.org/ . To register to receive an appointment, visit vaccine.cookcountyil.gov .