COVID-19 Vaccine Information

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently approved the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for all children age 12 and older. See below for the latest news and updates.

Oak Park Health Department Extends Vaccination Registration to Residents 12 to 15 Years Old

Parents of Oak Park students ages 12 to 15 can pre-register their children to be alerted when COVID-19 vaccine clinic appointments are available through the Oak Park Department of Public Health. Local public health officials expanded the registration criteria to include this newly eligible age category as federal officials approved the Pfizer vaccine for use in individuals 12 and older. Pfizer is the only COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in individuals age 17 and younger. Individuals who pre-register will be contacted by email to schedule an appointment on a first-come, first-served basis. All minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the vaccination clinic. 

District 97 will work with the health department to provide details about vaccine clinics once they are finalized.

Cook County Community Vaccination Program

CLICK HERE for Cook County COVID-19 vaccination informationBeginning on Thursday, May 13, Cook County Health is offering everyone age 12+ the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine free of charge at eight vaccination sites across the suburbs.

Public health officials are urging all eligible individuals to get vaccinated. Please speak with your family physician or pediatrician if you have any questions about vaccination.

Information about the COVID-19 Vaccine

Many students and families are anxiously awaiting the summer ahead after a year filled with new challenges and uncertainties. While COVID-19 has brought about changes, the crucial role vaccinations play in keeping children, their classmates and communities safe remains unchanged. Since the start of the pandemic, over 200,000 children in Illinois have been infected with COVID-19. We hope that the months ahead will be healthy ones, free of vaccine-preventable disease.

Schools with lower rates of vaccination are more likely to see outbreaks which can lead to time away from school in addition to more serious consequences for the health of children and families. The American Academy of Pediatrics has strongly expressed their support for approved COVID-19 vaccines in younger children and adolescents as “key, safe mechanisms that protect individuals and populations against many infectious diseases.”

Where Can My Child Receive a Vaccine?

  • Hospital or Primary Care Provider: Many Illinois hospitals, primary care providers, and pediatrician offices are providing COVID-19 vaccines. You can reach out to your child’s primary care provider to see if they have appointments available.
  • Pharmacies: There are over 1,000 pharmacies across the state administering COVID-19 vaccine. Families can search Vaccines.gov by the “Pfizer” filter to identify area pharmacies with available appointments providing vaccines approved for young people.
  • Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs): FQHCs are community-based care providers that provide primary care services in underserved areas. You can contact your local FQHC to see if they have available appointments for your child. Services are offered on a sliding payment scale.
  • Local Health Department: The Oak Park Department of Public Health Department may host a vaccination event specifically for students and families. Please check the village website for updates.

Where Can I Learn More About the COVID-19 Vaccine?