The new Forest Park mass vaccination site will offer 1,000 shots to start. | Stock Photo
The new Forest Park mass vaccination site will offer 1,000 shots to start. | Stock Photo
Illinois has been ramping up sites around the state to increase the COVID-19 vaccination rate, with one of the largest facilities opening in Forest Lake on March 26.
The site, operated by the Cook County Department of Public Health and staffed by the Illinois Guard, is accessible from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday at 7630 Roosevelt Road and will be offering 1,000 shots to start.
"Now that I'm eligible as a government worker, I'm incredibly proud to get the lifesaving @JNJnews vaccine, joining millions of Illinoisans in getting protected," Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a tweet on March 24. "All 3 vaccines are incredibly effective and offer us all the fastest way back to normal life. #VaxUpIL #allinillinois.”
The vaccination site is critical for when Illinois makes the vaccine available to all residents aged 16 and older. Currently, the vaccine is open to residents in phase 1A, 1B, 1B+, government workers, employees in higher education and media regardless of where they live, immigration status, or health insurance at the state's mass vaccination sites.
"[The state has] laser focus on equity and accessibility, prioritizing locations and communities hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic," Pritzker said at a news conference. "With this location in Forest Park, we have now strategically established three of our largest mass vaccination sites open to all eligible Illinoisians at Tinley Park in the southwest, this location in the western suburbs and Desplaines in the northwest."
The United States currently has 30,917,130 positive cases, 23,348,504 recoveries and has recorded 562,012 coronavirus-related deaths. State officials are hopeful that the new site will assist in reducing the positive cases and deaths.
"This site will play a critical role in our continued efforts to vaccinate our most vulnerable residents, such as those with preexisting conditions," Pritzker said.
Forest Park site will have private armed security working 24/7.
It is unknown at this time what vaccine with be administered at this site.
Appointments are required and can be made at vaccine.cookcountyil.gov or by calling 833-308-1988.
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