CHICAGO (WBM NEWSRADIO) -- Mayor Lightfoot and her wife Amy Eshleman literally rolled up their sleeves to encourage more people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as Chicago Public Schools closed schools Friday, so both children and adults could get their shots on Vaccine Awareness Day.
"First and foremost, let me say happy vaccine awareness day," Lightfoot said before receiving her own coronavirus booster vaccine shot at Michelle Clark Elementary School.
Lightfoot also stressed the need for everyone age five and above to be vaccinated and tried to conquer fears.
"There are many of us in this city that still not have gotten that first shot. We need you to get off the wall-off the fence whatever you wanna call it and step up today at the many opportunities through your physician...through clinics like this."
"This vaccine was tested on cohorts of children of the same age to make sure that we understood what the right dosage was for them-the right balance," she said.
City Health Director Dr. Allison Arwady said the push comes at a crucial time, because COVID cases are rising in Chicago, which is troubling with the holidays ahead.
"We are as of today averaging 414 new cases of COVID every day in the city of Chicago. That puts us back into a higher risk status."
Arwady said everyday someone asks her why children need to be vaccinated if most only get a mild form of the disease similar to the flu. She notes that children can get the disease and spread it and they are in homes with family and in school settings with other children and teachers.
Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez said school and health officials will be keeping an eye on how many families take advantage of Vaccine Awareness Day, but there'll also be a focus on how many students' households do not participate.
He also said they'll be reaching out to those families to see what questions they have or what they need.
