Over half of Grundy’s eligible population vaccinated

The Illinois Department of Public Health reports just over half of Grundy County’s eligible population is vaccinated for COVID.
The data, released Monday, shows that approximately 55% of county residents age 12 years and older are fully vaccinated against the virus, that’s 47% of the county’s entire population.
Vaccination efforts continue through the county health department and local retail pharmacies.
A walk-up clinic is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 25 on the lawn of the Grundy County Courthouse, 111 E. Washington St., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Health department personnel will be administering the Pfizer vaccine to individuals aged 12 and older. Those under age 14 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and those age 14-17 must be accompanied by an adult and have a completed minor consent form if not accompanied by a parent. The form is available at grundyhealth.com.
Michelle Pruim, the county’s health administrator, reports immunocompromised individuals may consider a third dose now. These are individuals with a range of conditions such as recipients of organ or stem cell transplants, people with advanced or untreated HIV infection, active recipients of treatment for cancer and people taking some medications that weaken the immune system.
Boosters are not yet recommended, however Pfizer is expected to be the first vaccine authorized in the coming weeks.
Individuals seeking vaccination can attend the walk-up clinic or call the health department at 815-941-3404 to schedule an appointment to receive the Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
As of Monday, 6,967 positive cases have been reported in the county with 81 deaths attributed to complications from the virus.
The health department is currently following 41 individuals how have tested positive and are in isolation, and each of their close contacts.
Grundy County remains in state’s warning level for increased risk based on the number of new cases, test positivity, tests performed and ICU availability.
As of Monday, Sept. 20, Morris Hospital reported having four patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and two patients in ICU, all being unvaccinated.
The hospital provides a daily report on COVID hospitalizations and a seven day test positivity that was 7.2% as of Monday.