The Chicago Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) drive to protect Chicagoans from H1N1 flu continues to succeed, with health workers vaccinating over 90,000 men, women and children in just 14 days of clinic operations.
We take the flu seriously, and these swift and successful vaccination efforts reflect our commitment to preventing disease and saving lives,” stated Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Bechara Choucair, M.D.
Also today, CDPH officials announced that they are broadening recommendations on who should get a flu vaccination to include everyone over age six months.
Up to now, we have asked Chicagoans not at increased risk for the flu and its complications to voluntarily ‘step aside’ and allow those at increased risk to get vaccinated first,” added Julie Morita, M.D., CDPH Immunization Program Medical Director. “But now, with the H1N1 vaccine supply more abundant and more consistent---both in Chicago and elsewhere across the nation---we encourage everyone to consider getting vaccinated.”
CDPH officials advise everyone who wants to be vaccinated to check in with their doctor or other regular medical health care provider. For those who do not have a doctor or whose doctor has chosen not to offer vaccinations, other options are readily available.
Free Flu Shots This Saturday at Seven City Colleges
Other options include CDPH’s mass vaccination clinics, which offer vaccinations on Saturdays, December 12 and 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at seven City Colleges of Chicago locations:
- Kennedy King College, 740 W. 63rd Street
- Olive Harvey College, 10001 S. Woodlawn
- Richard J. Daley College, 7500 S. Pulaski
- Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson
- Arturo Velasquez Institute, 2800 S. Western
- Wright College, 4300 N. Narragansett
- Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Van Buren
No appointments are necessary, and all vaccinations will be delivered free of charge, on a first come/first served basis.
People who are allergic to eggs should not receive the vaccination.
We want to thank our partners at the City Colleges of Chicago, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications, and others for their role in these clinics’ success,” added Suzet McKinney, Dr.PH, CDPH Deputy Commissioner for Public Health Preparedness and Emergency Response. “And of course, we thank Mayor Daley for his leadership and ongoing support of these life-saving efforts.