WHEATON (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The nation may have fallen short of President Biden’s goal to get at least one dose of vaccine to 70 percent of adults by Independence Day, but DuPage County went above and beyond.
According to the DuPage County Health Department, 80 percent of eligible residents received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine and 64 percent are fully vaccinated.
“We're really proud of these numbers,” said Chris Hoff, Director of Community Health Resources at the DuPage County Health Department. “It reflects both the work of all of these partners to administer vaccines and to the community for making the decision to be vaccinated.”
Additionally, 98 percent of people age 65 and older have gotten at least one vaccine dose, and 82 percent are fully vaccinated.
The health department attributed its success to getting the vaccine to a broad network of providers from the beginning.
“So you could go to your doctor or a clinic in your neighborhood or a pharmacy near you, something that you're comfortable with, something you trust,” Hoff said.
Another reason for the high vaccination rates is the partnership with community leaders and organizations.
Hoff told WBBM Newsradio people feel more comfortable getting vaccinated when they know someone else who’s gone through the experience.
“We know that one of the big drivers of being vaccinated yourself is knowing somebody who's been vaccinated in your family or in your social circle at work,” Hoff said. “And really we hope that that will help drive others to make a decision about getting vaccinated.”
With a majority of residents now vaccinated, the DuPage County Health Department is shifting its focus from large mass vaccination sites to neighborhood outreach.
The Care Van, which brings COVID-19 vaccines out into the community, will be making stops at local grocery stores, libraries, and community events over the next several months.
The mass vaccination walk-in site is still open Thursdays through Saturdays near the DuPage County fairgrounds.
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