Get Vaxxed and Boosted

COVID-19 cases are currently low in suburban Cook County, but we are preparing for a potential surge in the fall or winter.

Federal health officials have authorized an updated COVID-19 vaccine designed specifically to target the omicron subvariants. Anyone ages 12 and older who has received a primary series can receive this new, updated vaccine.

Get Vaxxed

Vaccination continues to be our best weapon against COVID. Getting vaccinated will protect you and others from severe symptoms or complications from COVID that could lead to missed work or school, lost income or benefit time, hospitalization or death.

Vaccines and boosters are safe, effective and free to all, regardless of insurance or immigration status. They cannot give you COVID and will not affect or interact with your DNA.

Everyone 6 months and older is eligible to receive a COVID vaccine (1st, 2nd and 3rd doses). Find free vaccines at covid.gov or myshotcookcounty.com.
All children, including children who have already had COVID-19, should get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines have undergone—and will continue to undergo—the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history.

Pediatric Vaccines

Pediatric vaccines are now available for children ages 6 months to 5 years. Check the following to find pediatric vaccines near you:

Pediatricians’ or family physicians’ offices
CDC Vaccine Finder
CCDPH mobile vaccination clinics (including at schools, events, churches, etc.)
Cook County Health clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers
Pharmacies (for children 3 years and older)
At home through CCDPH’s in-home vaccination program (see Get Vaxxed & Boosted at Home, below)

CCDPH is working closely with schools and community partners to communicate all of the options for childhood vaccination.

Get Boosted

People are protected best from severe COVID-19 illness when they stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines – which includes getting all recommended boosters when eligible.

Booster shots are recommended for everyone ages 5 and up.

On Sept. 1, 2022, federal health officials authorized two updated COVID boosters, known as bivalent boosters. ‘Bi’ means ‘two’ and the bivalent boosters protect against: 1.) the original coronavirus strain AND 2.) the currently circulating Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5.
A complete primary series of vaccine is required (two doses of Pfizer/Moderna/Novavax or one dose of Johnson & Johnson) before receiving a bivalent booster.
Regardless of the primary vaccine received, everyone 12 and up should receive a bivalent booster. CDC recently discontinued the monovalent booster for 12+ because the BIVALENT booster is now available for this age group.
Children ages 6 months to 11 years are not eligible for a bivalent booster. While we wait for a bivalent booster to become available for this age group, children ages 5-11 years should receive a monovalent booster dose of Pfizer vaccine at least five months after their second dose.
People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised should consult with their specialty provider about timing and dosage of vaccines.
Visit the CDC website to find out when or if you (or your child) are eligible for a booster. To find free booster shots near you, visit vaccines.gov or myshotcookcounty.com.

Destination Vaccination

Get a free ride to your vaccination. CCDPH is partnering with Kaizen Health to offer FREE rides to and from your vaccinations. Kaizen can provide vehicles to accommodate most residents, including those in wheelchairs or those who require child seats at no cost. Schedule rides by calling 833-308-1988.

Get Vaxxed & Boosted at Home

The Cook County Department of Public Health is providing in-home COVID-19 vaccinations for all suburban Cook County residents who are eligible for a dose.

To be eligible for this program, you must:

Live in CCDPH’s jurisdiction of suburban Cook County (excluding Evanston, Oak Park, Skokie and Stickney Township which have their own health departments), AND:
Be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine (1st, 2nd, additional doses, or boosters)

To sign up for in-home vaccination:

Call our hotline at 833-309-1988
Hotline hours are Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Apply online at bit.ly/homevaccine
One of our vaccination partners will call you to schedule an appointment. Please be patient while we work through a large number of requests.

Vaxxed and Boosted FAQs

Who is eligible for the new booster? Who should get it?

People ages 12 years and older are eligible for the updated COVID-19 BIVALENT booster from Pfizer-BioNTech and people ages 18 years and older are eligible for the updated COVID-19 BIVALENT booster from Moderna.

Is there a booster for children under 12 years old?

Yes. Children 5-11 years are still able to receive the monovalent booster.

When can I get the new booster? Do you have to complete the primary vaccine series first?

Yes. The primary vaccine series must be completed to be eligible for the booster.

Everyone ages 6 months and older is eligible for the primary vaccine series.

After that, the CDC suggests that people wait at least two months after your primary series or monovalent booster (if received) before getting the new booster.

Visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html for more information.

When will the new booster be available?

The public can begin receiving boosters as soon as their providers have the vaccine on-hand. Doses of the new boosters are available for healthcare providers to order now, through the Illinois Department of Public Health's electronic ordering system, called I-CARE.

Does the health department intend to offer any special clinics or events when the new booster shots arrive?

"We plan to incorporate the new booster shots into what we are already doing as booster supply and appointment availability ramp up over the next few weeks and months," said Cook County Department of Public Health Chief Operating Officer Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck. "I strongly encourage everyone who is eligible, to get boosted. Vaccines are safe and effective and proven to reduce severe illness, hospitalization and death."

Where will the booster be available?

Since the vaccines first became available, CCDPH has been working with community-based organizations and healthcare partners to connect adult and pediatric residents to COVID vaccines and boosters by standing up vaccination clinics, co-hosting community events and mobile clinics. Cook County Health clinics will also continue to have vaccines and boosters available.

Where can people go to learn more?

To learn more about:

Community and Mobile Clinic Vaccination and Booster Events: Visit https://cookcountypublichealth.org/calendar/ and follow CCDPH on social media (@ccdph on Facebook, @cookcohealth on Twitter and @cookcountypublichealth on Instagram).
Getting vaccinated and boosted at a healthcare provider in Cook County: Visit vaccine.cookcountyil.gov or vaccines.gov.
Getting vaccinated and boosted at home for free in suburban Cook County: visit bit.ly/vaxathome.
Vaccines.gov
Scheduling a free ride to your vaccination: Call 833-308-1988.
Staying up-to-date on vaccines and boosters: Visit CDC.gov.