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COVID for Healthcare Providers

The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) is committed to an equitable distribution of COVID-19 resources, including vaccinations, testing, PPE, and treatment. See below for updated information on resources for healthcare providers.

COVID-19 Vaccination 

Novavax Update

As of Oct. 3, 2023, Novavax 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine is now authorized and recommended for use in the U.S.

Updated CDC Guidance

Bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended in the United States.

Everyone ages 5 years and older is recommended to receive 1 dose of updated (2023–­2024 Formula) mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

Two types of COVID-19 vaccines are available for use in the United States:

Recommendations for use of the 2023–2024 formulations of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine:

  • Everyone ages 5 years and older is recommended to receive 1 dose of updated (2023–2024 Formula) mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
  • Children ages 6 months – 4 years
    • Initial vaccination: should receive either 2 doses of updated (2023–2024 Formula) Moderna or 3 doses of updated (2023–2024 Formula) Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
    • Received previous mRNA doses: need 1 or 2 doses of updated (2023–2024 Formula) Moderna or updated (2023–2024 Formula) Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, depending on the number of prior doses
  • People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised
    • Initial vaccination: should receive a 3-dose series of updated (2023–2024 Formula) Moderna or updated (2023–2024 Formula) Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
    • Received previous mRNA doses: need 1 or 2 doses of updated (2023–2024 Formula) Moderna or updated (2023–2024 Formula) Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, depending on the number of prior doses
    • May receive 1 or more additional updated (2023–2024 Formula) mRNA COVID-19 vaccine doses
  • Bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended in the United States.

Additional Resources:

COVID-19 Treatment

CCDPH and the Illinois Dept of Public Health continue to encourage providers to assess their patients quickly (within five days of symptom onset) after they have been identified as having COVID-19 to determine if they are eligible for treatment.

Prescriptions can be directly sent to our federal pharmacy partners (Walgreens, Walmart, CVS, Meijer) as well as several community pharmacies listed in the treatment locator.

Please refer to the NIH Clinical Decision Aid for providers to use as an easy reference guide for treatment. Please note that IDPH does not manage allocations for Remdesivir, which is commercially available, and so cannot be requested through IDPH. Remdesivir is currently the only outpatient treatment option for children under the age of 12 years.

Here are some additional resources that you can use with your patients:

  1. Communicable Disease Data & Reports
  2. For the most up-to-date treatment guidelines please visit: COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines (nih.gov)
  3. To locate doses of COVID-19 treatments in your area, please visit the IDPH Outpatient Therapy locator
  4. To directly request doses of COVID-19 treatments use the IDPH request form
  5. If you have questions, please contact IDPH at [email protected] or call 800-889-3931
  6. Paxlovid Providers Checklist
  7. Paxlovid Drug Interaction Chart

COVID-19 Testing

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) that receive operational funding through HRSA’s Health Center Program are eligible for direct shipments. Eligible FQHCs should be able to request a supply of Quidel tests by following the instructions provided by HRSA. This is the same process and online platform that is used to request vaccines.

Hospitals and First Responders should request tests directly from IDPH by emailing [email protected]

Long term care facilities can email [email protected] and request to be added to the direct distribution list.

CCDPH’s Rapid Antigen Test Request Program

CCDPH is distributing the rapid point-of-care tests (BinaxNOW™ and iHealth™ COVID-19 tests) to organizations for use in suburban Cook County. CCDPH is prioritizing distribution of rapid point-of-care tests to vulnerable and high-risk populations based on COVID-19 surveillance data for suburban Cook County, CCDPH’s COVID-19 Community Vulnerability Index, and State and Federal guidance. This includes congregate settings (e.g. long-term care facilities and shelters), schools, and areas with a lower testing capacity. CCDPH no longer distributes these tests to private organizations per the direction of the Illinois Dept of Public Health (IDPH).

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requests

Cook County Department of Public Health Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Request Form

Please use this form to request personal protective equipment (PPE) at no charge from the Cook County Department of Public Health. Once your request is submitted, please allow up to 6 weeks for processing. You will be notified via email once your order is ready for pick up. Please note that requests are never guaranteed and CCDPH will inform you of the amount of PPE you will receive in your confirmation email. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]

Summary of PPE Request Process:

  1. Your organization submits request to CCDPH online via this survey
  2. CCDPH processes request (please allow up to 6 weeks for processing)
  3. CCDPH emails your organization point of contact listed with instructions for PPE pick up. It will include a date and time reserved for your pick up at CCDPH Oak Forest location
  4. Person(s) designated to pick up PPE from your organization will need to come to CCDPH in Oak Forest during the designated day/time given and (a) should show confirmation email on phone or printed out and (b) must load own vehicle (should be able to lift 15-50 lbs) and (c) all items must be gathered during pick up, we are unable to accommodate multiple pick-ups at this time.

Updated November 3, 2023, 7:17 PM