Increase in cases of respiratory illness: Cook County health department holds vaccine clinics for flu, RSV, COVID, and norovirus outbreak.

In FORD HEIGHTS, Ill., health officials are cautioning the public about a rise in respiratory illnesses nationwide. Currently, 35 states, such as Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, are seeing increased levels of viral activity.

Cook County is hosting a series vaccine clinics, with one being held Saturday.

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In Cook County, RSV and influenza activity are high, with COVID-19 cases starting to tick up.

So far this year, two children under the age of 2 died in Chicago due to the flu, officials said.

Kiran Joshi, the interim COO at the Cook County Department of Public Health, mentioned, “We are observing a surge in hospitalizations due to influenza and RSV. During the winter, respiratory viruses tend to escalate, mainly because people spend more time indoors, creating a higher risk of viral spread.”

To address this issue, the Cook County Department of Public Health has organized a series of vaccine clinics for this winter season. One of these clinics took place at the Cottage Grove Health Center in Ford Heights last Saturday, providing both COVID-19 and flu vaccines free of charge.

“I heard that two kids passed away, so it’s my turn to get in here and get it done,” East Hazel Cres resident Robert Jackson said.

READ MORE | 2 young children die from flu in Chicago as respiratory illness cases spike, officials say

“I said, ‘I better do it now and get it over with,'” Ford Heights resident Eddie Magruder said.

Health officials say it’s not too late to get vaccinated.

“Approximately a quarter of all residents are vaccinated with the flu, that tracks with what we are seeing statewide,” Joshi said. “But we definitely want to see those rates go up to ensure that people are protected.”

Click here for more information about Cook County Health’s free vaccine clinics.