Guidance on Booster Shots
Booster shots are now available for certain groups of Pfizer vaccine recipients
The Cook County Department of Public Health is offering the following guidance on booster shots for those who have received the Pfizer vaccine.
The CDC recommends:
- People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series.
- People aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series.
- People aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.
- People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.
Boosters are available now. Those who are eligible for the booster shot may go to any location that offers the Pfizer vaccine to receive the booster shot. Residents should bring a copy of their vaccination card or other record of vaccination if they have it. If they cannot locate their vaccination record, they should reach out to the provider who gave them their first and second doses or go to IDPH’s Vax Verify.
CCDPH will ensure that long-term care facilities will receive Pfizer boosters from a pharmacy or other mobile healthcare provider promptly. In addition, CCDPH is working closely with mobile vaccination providers, in-home vaccination providers, and Age Options to ensure a wide range of options for Pfizer booster vaccination, especially for seniors.
We await further guidance for those who received Moderna and J&J. As a reminder, both Pfizer and Moderna boosters are already approved for those who are immunocompromised. These individuals can and should receive their booster (or 3rd dose) if it has been at least 28 days since their 2nd dose.
We continue to prioritize those individuals who have not received their primary series (first and second doses), as we know these individuals are at highest risk of severe COVID-19, hospitalization, and death. CCDPH's hyperlocal program focuses on communities with the lowest vaccination rates in suburban Cook County.
New round of emergency rental assistance
Offers help for landlords and renters
Applications now open!
Are you a renter or landlord in suburban Cook County? Has COVID-19 made it difficult for you or your tenants to pay rent and utilities?
The Cook County Emergency Rental Assistance program pays up to 18 months of total assistance. Payments will be made directly to the landlord or utility company. Applications are open through October 29. Apply or find out more here.
Statewide indoor mask mandate in effect
Just over 58% of Illinois residents are fully vaccinated
The State of Illinois indoor mask mandate for all Illinois residents, regardless of vaccination status, is now in effect.
Because COVID-19 cases and hospitalization rates continue to increase, the state is also requiring individuals who work in high-risk settings to get vaccinated against COVID-19. All health care workers, pre-k-12 teachers and staff, and higher education personnel and students are now required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Employees in all of these settings and higher education students who are unable or unwilling to receive the vaccine will be required to get tested for COVID-19 at least once per week.
The Cook County Department of Public Health issued an indoor mask mandate for suburban Cook County prior to the state mandate. All individuals age two and older who can medically tolerate a mask must wear one in public indoor spaces and common spaces of multi-unit residences. According to the order, businesses are required to post signage that states that masks are required. CCDPH has created a sign that can be posted by employers and it can be found on the CCDPH website at: https://cookcountypublichealth.org/ccdph-covid-19-communications/.
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Vaccine concerns? Learn More
If you or someone you love are vaccine-hesitant, look to a trusted resource for information.
Rabies vaccine & microchip clinics are back
Cook County Animal and Rabies Control (ARC) is resuming rabies vaccine and microchip clinics now through October. ARC is partnering with local animal organizations to offer low-cost or free 1-year rabies vaccines and microchips.
American Rescue Plan Act funding
Cook County seeks your input to guide its spending plan
Cook County will directly receive more than $1 billion from the federal government through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and is in the process of developing a responsible, comprehensive, and equitable spending plan to strategically use these one-time resources to support both immediate recovery needs and long-term transformative initiatives.
The distribution of these crucial funds will build on the equity best practices Cook County introduced with the distribution of CARES Act funds last year.
Additionally, municipalities in Cook County with populations over 50,000 will receive direct funds from ARPA, while the State of Illinois is responsible for distributing funds to entities with fewer than 50,000 residents.
Cook County government, with pro bono support from the Civic Consulting Alliance, is in the process of determining spending priorities regarding ARPA funds. A great deal of work goes into a $1 billion spending plan, and we want to do it right: in an open, honest, and transparent manner.
Funds provided under ARPA are substantial and will be transformational for states and local governments in their pandemic rescue and recovery efforts.
Investments in public infrastructure, economic and community development, workforce development and training, small business assistance, housing stability, public safety, and social services are particularly well-suited uses of ARPA funds because of their expansive and recurring benefits. Cook County can cover the upfront costs of these programs using ARPA funds and will see their long-term, sustainable benefits well after the ARPA funds have been fully used.
We look at ARPA as funds intended for all of our residents—not just for Cook County government operations. This means we will spend funds in an equitable manner with the largest benefit to the most people over the longest amount of time.
Cook County has created an Engage Cook County website to serve as a hub for community engagement on ARPA. Click here to visit the website.
Everything you need to know about Cook County
My door is always open . . .
Cook County is responsible for providing essential services in the areas of public safety, public health, the court system, elections, tax assessment and appeals, recording deeds, and managing forest preserves. As an independent-minded member of the Board, I have worked hard to combine fiscal responsibility with social awareness. I am honored to serve the people of the 9th district, which includes: portions of the far northwest side of Chicago; Park Ridge, River Forest, Elmwood Park, Harwood Heights, Mount Prospect, Norridge, River Grove, Rosemont, and Schiller Park; portions of Arlington Heights, Melrose Park, Morton Grove, Niles, and Prospect Heights; and unincorporated Norwood Park, Maine, and Wheeling Townships.
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