Youth Day Celebration Will Provide Vaccinations For Students

FOREST PARK, IL — This year's Youth Day will be celebrated in true teenage style with free hot dogs, hamburgers, Six Flags Great America tickets — and vaccines.

Cook County Department of Public Health is hosting the annual celebration at Thornton Township High School on Saturday, June 19, and will also offer COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 12-17.

"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," Israel Rocha, Cook County Health CEO, said in a news release.

A free Six Flags ticket will be given to anyone who receives a vaccine at the event, which will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Live music and other family service groups will also be in attendance.

The area surrounding Thornton High School and several other nearby municipalities were identified as "Priority Communities" by Cook County earlier in the spring. They were selected based on factors that made residents more vulnerable to public health issues such as preexisting conditions and socioeconomic status.

Community-based organizations 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 and the Harvey Area Chamber of Commerce.

"We are all dedicated to this hyperlocal approach throughout the summer," said Dr. Rachel Rubin, the co-lead of the Cook County Department of Public Health, "in order to get everyone who wants a vaccine to receive one."

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