Over 45% Of DuPage County Residents Fully Vaccinated For COVID-19

DUPAGE COUNTY, IL — DuPage County still leads Illinois in coronavirus vaccinations, with more than 45 percent of its residents having been fully vaccinated as of Wednesday. In total, 419,378 DuPage County residents have completed their vaccine doses, according to new data from DuPage County Health Department (DCHD).

The health department has set a goal of having 80 percent of residents fully vaccinated by July.

DCHD recently expanded its Community Vaccination Clinic to accommodate residents who are 12 and older. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to get their vaccine. The Community Vaccination Clinic, which is located at DuPage County Fairgrounds, has administered more than 90,000 vaccinations since February, DCHD reports.

Click the link to pre-register for a vaccine appointment.

Despite DuPage County's relatively high vaccination rates, county health officials are still urging residents to wear face masks and take safety precautions, as the county's coronavirus transmission rate is currently classified as "substantial." The greatest number of new cases have been reported among residents between who are 20 and 39 years old and are not vaccinated.

The county has also seen an increase in coronavirus cases among children who are between 5 and 19 years old.

Related: Adolescent Vaccinations 'Critical' To End Pandemic: DuPage Health

A greater number of coronavirus variants is also prompting DuPage health officials to urge caution. The number of coronavirus variants "of concern" has risen to more than 300 cases in DuPage County. Seven DuPage County residents have tested positive for variant B.1.617, which was first identified in India. These variants are believed to spread more rapidly and cause more severe symptoms.

To help more residents get access to coronavirus vaccines, DuPage County recently began offering at-home vaccinations for residents who are confined to their homes. Click the link for more information on scheduling a vaccine for a homebound resident.