LAKE COUNTY, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Lake County, Illinois is making some changes at one of its COVID vaccination sites Monday.
WBBM Newsradio's Nancy Harty reports it's part of an effort to increase the number of doses given out.
Starting Monday, the mass vaccination site at Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake will transition to walk-through appointments and will no longer provide drive-through appointments.
The Lake County Health Department said the change will allow for increasing available appointments, from the current 1,500 vaccinations daily to at least 2,500 vaccinations daily.
"We expect our vaccine supply to continue to increase, and we are eager to get as many residents vaccinated as quickly as possible," said Mark Pfister, Executive Director at the Lake County Health Department. "Now that the weather is warmer, the transition to walk-through service at the Lake County Fairgrounds enables us to serve more residents each day."
Lake County officials said the fairgrounds site provides all three vaccines authorized in the United States—Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson—depending on the current supply available. The Health Department is unable to provide choice of vaccine brand for first doses.
"The best vaccine to get is the first one available to you," Pfister said. "All three authorized vaccines are extremely safe and effective. We are in the 'race to vaccinate' as cases are again climbing in the United States, and we urge every resident to do their part to protect themselves and others."
Residents are urged to explore their options for vaccination and take the first appointment available to them. Make sure you are registered in the AllVax system by visiting AllVax.lakecohealth.org, or contact the AllVax support team by phone at (847) 377-8130 or by email at AllVax@lakecountyil.gov.
