DuPage County Falls Short Of COVID-19 Vaccination Goal

WHEATON, IL — DuPage County has fallen short of its goal to have 80 percent of eligible residents fully vaccinated against coronavirus by July 1. As of Wednesday, 63 percent of residents had been fully vaccinated, according to data from DuPage County Health Department (DCHD).

The new data showed that 80 percent of eligible residents had gotten at least one coronavirus vaccine.

“DuPage County set an ambitious goal and continues to lead the state in vaccination rates with 80 percent of our eligible population having received their first dose. We aimed high, and our progress is exceptional. It exemplifies what we can accomplish as a community when we work together,” DuPage County Chairman Dan Cronin said in the health department's update.

Vaccination rates were high among DuPage County seniors who are 65 or older. Wednesday's data reflects that 98 percent of that population in DuPage County had received at least one coronavirus vaccine. A total of 81 percent of seniors 65 and older had been fully vaccinated.

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These high vaccination rates "will help keep COVID-19 community transmission at historically low levels," DuPage County Board of Health President Sam Tornatore said in a statement. Wednesday's update from DCHD shared that there has recently been a "notable decline in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths throughout the county."

As of Friday, DuPage County was at a "moderate" level for coronavirus transmission.

Despite the decrease in coronavirus cases throughout DuPage County, DCHD encouraged vigilance throughout the Fourth of July weekend. County health officials recommended having smaller outdoor gatherings that can facilitate social distancing.

DCHD went on to urge residents to get vaccinated against coronavirus, citing the "more dangerous Delta variant." Click the link to register for a vaccine appointment at the Community Vaccination Clinic DuPage County Fairgrounds.