Cook County Health To Host Youth Day At Harvey Vaccine Site

HARVEY, IL — Cook County Department of Public Health, along with several community-based organizations will celebrate "Youth Day" at the priority vaccines site located withing the Thornton Township High School gym building on Saturday, according to a news release.

The release states that Youth Day will celebrate summer by featuring a cookout of free hot dogs and hamburgers from noon to 4 p.m. and a free Six Flags Great America amusement park ticket will go to anyone who gets vaccinated. The event will feature music and several community groups will be on hand to provide families information about their available services. The site will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, according to the release.

“Vaccinating our youth and families is not only the key to a summer of celebration,
but the road map to a healthy Cook County beyond this awful pandemic,” said Cook
County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.

According to the release, Harvey and several surrounding and nearby municipalities were identified as priority communities by Cook County in the spring. They were selected based on factors that make them more vulnerable to public health issues, as well as higher than average vaccination rates, the release states.

“Back to school really starts at the end of the school year, especially when two doses of vaccine are required for those age 12 to 17, so we do not want to wait until it’s too late to protect our children from COVID, and keep these communities, their schools and our children safe from the spread of the disease,” said Cook County Health CEO Israel Rocha.

The community-based organizations that are scheduled to be in attendance include:

• Restoration Ministries, Inc.
• Penny Up
• Illinois Action for Children
• TCA Health
• Warehouse Workers for Justice
• Sisters Working It Out
• Family Christian Health Center
• Harvey Area Chamber of Commerce

“Reaching these communities and providing residents with education about the
virus and vaccines is truly a partnership with our CBOs. We are all dedicated to this
hyper local approach throughout the summer in order to get everyone who wants a vaccine to receive one,” said Dr. Rachel Rubin, the Co-Lead of the Cook County Department of Public Health.

For information about vaccines and other upcoming vaccination events, visit cookcountypublichealth.org or myshotcookcounty.com.

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