CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The City of Chicago is hosting dozens of COVID-19 events around town especially in areas where vaccinations are lagging.
Even as Chicago opens up, health officials said the number of coronavirus cases, hospitalizations, and deaths is still coming down, with an eye towards a full reopening by July 4. Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said that is because the availability of the COVID-19 vaccines.
But, Dr. Arwady said African-American and Latino neighborhoods still have the highest numbers of cases and the lowest vaccination rates; so, the city is taking the vaccines on the road.
"This week alone we are doing 48 pop-up events, either with the Vaccination Station, which is our COVID bus, setting up at the schools, doing things are farmers markets, doing things at churches, doing things at CTA stations, food pantries, really working to bring vaccine to you," she said.
"We are doing 50-60, or even more, vaccinations at each of those sites; which is a really good turn out, especially when a lot of those folks are older. So we are really working to bring vaccine where it is needed; so if you have a group, with a list of people who want to get vaccinated, let us know, and we will work to bring vaccine to your event or your location."
Dr. Arwady said she is convinced such efforts can make a difference and help end this pandemic. But, she said, we’ll never truly eliminate COVID-19, just control it.
Citywide, Dr. Arwady said, about half of Chicagoans 12 and over have received at least one COVID shot.
For schedules and locations for pop-up vaccination events visit the city's vaccine website. New events are added weekly that will include door-to-door canvassing, with people being trained as vaccine ambassadors to go out into communities.
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