Flu Vaccine More 'Critical' Than Ever Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

OAK PARK, IL — Public health officials recommend everyone older than six months to get the flu vaccine every year, adding that it's more critical than ever that residents get the shot this season due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Village of Oak Park.

According to health officials, flu and the coronavirus can each cause serious respiratory illness, and co-infection could possibly lead to more severe illnesses. The village added that according to health officials, a flu shot is your best protection against the flu, and you can get one at local pharmacies, grocery stores and other sites in the Oak Park area as most accept private insurance and Medicare Part B to cover the shot's cost.

State health officials announced on Monday 1,709 new cases of the coronavirus and 13 additional deaths from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus. Seven deaths were reported in Cook County, including one man in his 30s, one woman in her 50s, one man in his 50s, one man in his 60s, one man in his 70s, and two men in their 80s.

Related: IL Reports 1,709 New Coronavirus Cases Monday After Weekend Surge; Don't miss updates about precautions in the Oak Park-River Forest area as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

Find a local flu shot provider at vaccinefinder.org.

You can also find more information, including community testing site locations for the coronavirus at oak-park.us/news/covid-19-coronavirus-resources.