Recent UpdatesLake County Transitions to Community-Based COVID-19 VaccinationsThe Lake County Health Department is announcing that it will transition to a community-based vaccination model next month, and the final day for COVID-19 vaccinations at the Lake County Fairgrounds will be Monday, June 14, 2021. Read the full press release.
Health Department To Begin COVID-19 Vaccinations for Children Ages 12 to 15The Lake County Health Department will open COVID-19 vaccinations to children ages 12 to 15 years old on Thursday, May 13, 2021, following the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Parents and legal guardians are encouraged to register their children on the Lake County AllVax Portal to make an appointment at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake or Regional Vaccination Site at 102 W. Water Street, Waukegan. Read the full press release. Health Department Resumes Use of Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 VaccineAs of April 23, 2021, the Lake County Health Department has resumed the use of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine, following the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). After thoroughly reviewing 15 reports of a rare blood clotting disorder with low platelets out of nearly 7 million people who received the vaccine, the FDA and CDC have confidence that this vaccine is safe and effective in preventing COVID-19, and that the known and potential benefits of the vaccine outweigh the known and potential risks.First Case of COVID-19 Variant Identified in Lake CountyOn February 6, the Health Department reported the first case of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) variant B.1.1.7 in Lake County. Read the full press release. Updated Quarantine RecommendationsOn December 2, 2020, the CDC issued new options for shortened quarantine for people who have no symptoms. The CDC made clear that a 14-day quarantine is still best practice and affirmed that local health departments should evaluate if these options are right for the areas they serve. At the time of this change, Lake County was seeing a surge in new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. After careful consideration the Lake County Health Department did not adopt the new options. Instead, we decided to reassess the situation after the holidays. The Lake County Health Department has reviewed these alternatives, COVID-19 trends, and socioeconomic and mental health impact to our community. We continue to recommend that close contacts to a COVID-19 case ideally, complete a 14-day quarantine period. However, effective February 8, 2021, a shortened 10-day quarantine period is acceptable if the person exposed to COVID-19 has NOT developed symptoms. Learn more. Non-Essential TravelTo limit the spread of COVID-19, the Health Department recommends avoiding all non-essential travel. Visit our Community Guidance and Resources page for more information. |
