If your COVID immunization was administered within the state of Illinois, you can access your immunization record using Vax Verify to download the Vax Verify SMART Health Card. It is not a replacement vaccination card, but is a digital version of your COVID...
02. Vaccines
Who is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine booster and what types are available?
As of Dec. 16, 2021: Everyone ages 16 years and older can get a booster shot after they have completed their COVID-19 vaccine primary series. People ages 16 to 17 years old can get the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster shot. On this date, CDC stated the U.S. supply of...
If a person has been exposed to a person with covid but is fully vaccinated, do they need to quarantine?
If you are vaccinated and were exposed to someone with COVID-19, you don’t need to quarantine. You should monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days after exposure and get tested 3-5 days after exposure. If you are not fully vaccinated, you should get tested right...
Are there local pharmacies that partner with Cook County and report COVID vaccinations/boosters to the county?
All healthcare providers in the state enter immunization data into the state IDPH I-CARE system. CCDPH has access to vaccination records through the Illinois Comprehensive Automated Immunization Registry Exchange (I-CARE) system. You can see vaccination data for the...
If I received my first two vaccinations at a Cook County site and I get the booster at a local pharmacy, does the booster vaccination show up on my Cook County vaccination records? Do the records roll up to the state of Illinois level? Can I access those records at the state level?
If you received your first two vaccinations at a Cook County site and you get the booster at a local pharmacy, the booster vaccination does not show up in your Cook County vaccination records. Only vaccinations received from Cook County will show up in Cook County...
If we need a booster dose, does that mean that the vaccines aren’t working?
The vaccines are working very well to prevent the worst cases of COVID-19 that lead to hospitalization or death, even against the highly contagious Delta variant. The virus is constantly changing and scientists are seeing reduced protection against mild and moderate...
I have been vaccinated, but can I still carry and infect others?
Yes. Anyone who has COVID-19 can spread it to others, whether they have had the vaccine or not. When a person who got the COVID-19 vaccine gets infected with COVID-19 it is called a "breakthrough infection." COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing most...
Do employers have to exclude an employee from the premises if they are not fully vaccinated?
Yes, health care workers, school personnel, higher education personnel and students, and state employees and contractors who work at state-owned or operated congregate facilities are required to be fully vaccinated or  undergo weekly testing and can provide...
I’ve heard that children don’t get sick from COVID. Why should my child get vaccinated?
Children are just as likely to get COVID-19 as adults! It is true that children are less likely to have symptoms and if children have symptoms they are usually mild. But children with COVID-19 can still get very sick, need to go to the hospital, and even die.
Has the COVID-vaccine been approved for kids ages 5-11?
Yes. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for all children age 5 and older. The vaccine is free for everyone, both kids and adults. You don’t need to show proof of insurance or immigration to receive it.