Kane County officials urge vaccine-hesitant residents to act now
The FDA approved the Pfizer vaccine on Aug. 23 for individuals 16 years of age and older.
Kane County officials say the Pfizer U.S. FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine should help boost confidence levels in those residents who are vaccine-hesitant, and urged those who have not yet been vaccinated to do so now, as the Delta variant continues its firm grip on the country.
"Masking and vaccinations are still our best defense against COVID-19 and the Delta variant, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approval of the vaccine is proof that those who are vaccine-hesitant can now be confident of its safety," Kane County Board Chair Corinne Pierog said. "Kane County is now an area of high transmission for COVID-19; we are in a race against the clock to get residents vaccinated as the Delta variant continues to expand impacting the health and well-being of our residents."
The vaccine previously had been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, and will now be marketed as Comirnaty for the prevention of COVID-19 disease. "Full endorsement of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty means the community can have full faith in the effectiveness of this vaccine," said Kathy Fosser, interim executive director of the Kane County Health Department. "Never before has there been so much positive evidence to judge the safety, effectiveness and the manufacturing quality the FDA demands for the manufacturing of a vaccine."
"Vaccination remains the best tool we have to fight COVID-19. We encourage our residents to visit their preferred medical providers or KaneVax.org as soon as possible to make an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome during KCHD clinic times," Fosser added.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, only 52.92% of the county's population has been fully vaccinated as of Aug. 23, 2021. "We have a lot of work still to do to ensure that more of our residents become protected against COVID-19 and to prevent its further spread," Pierog said.
The Kane County Health Department will continue to host community COVID-19 vaccination clinics, including this weekend:
• Saturday, Aug. 28 from 8 a.m. to noon during the Batavia Farmer's Market on North River Street in Batavia;
• Saturday, Aug. 28 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin;
• Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 28-29, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Old Republic Kitchen and Bar, 155 S. Randall Road, Elgin.
Visit the KCHD website at www.KaneHealth.com or call 630-208-3801 for additional information on upcoming community clinics and current updates about COVID-19.