Even as the Delta variant-fueled surge continues in the city and across the nation, Chicago public health officials took some pride in the battle against COVID-19: About 70% of adults in the city have now received at least one dose of a vaccine.
Nationwide, 50% of residents are fully vaccinated and more than 70% of adults have had at least one dose,
The city’s vaccination rate means that 1,501,919 adults have received at least one dose as of Aug. 5, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health. In addition, about 50% of adolescents 12 to 17 have received at least one dose of the Pfizer vaccine, the department said Monday.
“Reaching an adult vaccination rate of 70% is an important milestone in our COVID-19 journey that brings us closer together as one home team and signifies the incredible progress we’ve made in fighting back against this pandemic,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a statement. “While our work continues to get as many of our residents vaccinated so we can protect them from this virus and its variants, we must take this moment to celebrate this achievement.”
Vaccinations are free and available to people 12 and over at many city-operated vaccination sites — with and without appointments.
“We have a lot to be proud of. Thank you to our team — all of our staff, providers and community partners — who have done the work, helped us reach residents across the city and connect them with their COVID-19 vaccine,” CDPH Commissioner Allison Arwady said in a statement. “The fight is not over, and we encourage those who have been vaccinated to talk to their family and friends that still haven’t — the vaccine is our best chance to be protected against COVID-19 and its variants.”
To learn more, go to www.chicago.gov/covidvax.
