Fairgrounds Mass Vaccination Site To Close Next Week

LAKE COUNTY, IL — The mass vaccination site at the Lake County Fairgrounds will be closing next week. More than 76,000 COVID-19 vaccines have been doled out at the fairgrounds site since it opened, local health officials said in recent weeks.

In the coming days, the hours of operation at the fairgrounds site, 1060 E. Peterson Road in Grayslake, will be limited. Here is a look at hours for the vaccination site for the coming days:

• Wednesday, June 9: 1 to 6 p.m.
• Sunday, June 13: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Monday, June 14: 1 to 6 p.m.

Mark Pfister, executive director of the Lake County Health Department, said the health department will next shift its efforts to vaccinate at the "hyper-local level."

"This includes our Lake County Health Department Community Health Centers, in doctor’s offices across the county, and at local vaccination events, bringing the vaccine via mobile units and pop-up events in neighborhoods, faith communities, and even businesses to reach people where it is most convenient for them," he said in a recent statement.

Residents who are due for their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines before Monday are urged to schedule an appointment or walk-in for their second dose at the fairgrounds before the site closes.

People whose second dose is due after Monday can get their second dose at other Health Department locations or with another COVID-19 vaccine provider. People who receive Pfizer or Moderna vaccines are not fully vaccinated until two weeks after receiving their second dose.

“Every Lake County resident lives within three miles of a COVID-19 vaccination provider and the options are plentiful,” Pfister said. “It is critical if you’ve received one dose of Pfizer or Moderna that you also get the second dose. This helps ensure that your immune system is fully prepared to fight the virus, including the new COVID-19 variants spreading right here in Lake County.”

The health department’s regional vaccination site at 102 W. Water Street, Waukegan, continues to provide Pfizer vaccines by appointment and walk-ins from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. This site will also begin offering the Moderna vaccine starting Tuesday for those needing second doses.

Johnson & Johnson vaccines are also available upon request, according to the health department news release.

COVID-19 vaccine appointments are also available at health department community center locations. You can schedule your appointment on the Lake County AllVax portal, https://AllVax.lakecohealth.org, or by calling 847-377-8130.

Starting on Tuesday, the following health department community center locations will offer the following hours:

• Grand Avenue Health Center

3010 Grand Avenue, Waukegan
Walk-ins and appointments available
Monday through Friday
8:45 – 11:30 a.m.; 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines

• Belvidere Medical Building

2400 Belvidere Road, Waukegan
Walk-ins and appointments available
Monday through Friday
8:45 – 11:30 a.m.; 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines

• Midlakes Health Center

224 Clarendon Road, Round Lake Beach
By appointment only
Monday through Friday
9:30 – 11:30 a.m.; 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines

• North Shore Health Center

1840 Green Bay Road, Highland Park
By appointment only
Monday and Friday only
9:30 – 11:30 a.m.; 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines

• Zion Health Center

1911 27th Street, Zion
Walk-ins and appointments available
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only
9:30 – 11:30 a.m.; 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines

Many pharmacy and retail locations also have COVID-19 vaccines by appointment and walk-ins. These locations can be tracked down via www.vaccines.gov. For information on other vaccination options across Lake County visit www.lakecountyil.gov/vaccine or call 847-377-8130.

The health department continues to coordinate local vaccination events across the county based on community need. These events are posted on the Health Department’s website, social media, shared in the COVID-19 email newsletter, and promoted through local community outreach.

Residents may also check with their healthcare provider for COVID-19 vaccine availability or to discuss any concerns about getting the vaccine.