COVID-19 Vaccinations Now Available to Those Ages 6 Months to 4 Years Old

Child COVID Vaccination Clinics Available Starting This Week

The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will be hosting child COVID vaccination clinics beginning this week for those ages 6 months to 4 years old. Clinics will be held Thursday and Friday with both Pfizer and Moderna vaccine available.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now recommending everyone 6 months of age and older be vaccinated for COVID-19. According to the CDC, children will receive a smaller dose of the COVID-19 vaccine than teens and adults that is the right amount for their age group.

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District – 201 W. Kenyon Road, Champaign

Additional first dose appointments will be available for those ages 6 months to 4 years old at the iHotel and Conference Center June 27 – 28, 2022. Additional details will be available later this week on our website: https://www.c-uphd.org/covid-vaccinations.html

Additional information on COVID-19 vaccinations can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccines-children-teens.html.

COVID-19 Boosters Now Available to those Ages 5 to 11

The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD), in partnership with Carle Health, OSF HealthCare, Christie Clinic, Promise Healthcare, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign continue to provide COVID-19 initial vaccination doses, boosters, and Pfizer pediatric vaccinations and boosters. 

On Thursday, May 19, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gave final approval supporting ACIP’s (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) decision to provide Pfizer booster shots for children ages 5 to 11. Eligibility to receive the booster requires it to be at least five months after the child’s second dose of the initial series. For additional first and second booster shot information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html.

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District – 201 W. Kenyon Road, Champaign

Promise Healthcare – 819 Bloomington Road, Champaign

  • To schedule an appointment, please call (217) 356-1558.

Carle Health

  • Appointments will be available at primary care and pediatric offices and made available soon, check Carle.org for more information. 

OSF HealthCare

  • Appointments will be available at all of the primary care offices and can be scheduled through osfhealthcare.org/vaccine
  • Appointments can be made by phone as well:
    • 217-337-3865 (Urbana)
    • 217-337-2995 (Champaign) 
    • 217-560-6300 (Savoy)

Christie Clinic

  • Parents and guardians of Christie Clinic pediatric patients ages 5 – 11 are encouraged to send a MyChristie patient portal message to their provider to arrange for a booster appointment.
  • To register for a MyChristie account visit: https://www.christieclinic.com/mychristie

Pharmacies

Please note, additional vaccination options may be available through other retail locations.

Additional information on COVID-19 vaccinations can be found at: https://www.c-uphd.org/covid-vaccinations.html.

COVID-19 Second Booster Now Available to Eligible Recipients

COVID vaccinations available throughout community

The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD), in partnership with Carle Health, OSF HealthCare, Christie Clinic, Promise Healthcare, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign continue to provide COVID-19 initial vaccination doses, boosters, and Pfizer pediatric vaccinations. 

On Tuesday, March 29, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “expanded eligibility for an additional booster dose for certain individuals who may be at higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19. Boosters are safe, and people over the age of 50 can now get an additional booster four months after their prior dose to increase their protection further. This is especially important for those 65 and older and those 50 and older with underlying medical conditions that increase their risk for severe disease from COVID-19 as they are the most likely to benefit from receiving an additional booster dose at this time. CDC, in collaboration with FDA and our public health partners, will continue to evaluate the need for additional booster doses for all Americans.”

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District – 201 W. Kenyon Road, Champaign

Promise Healthcare – 819 Bloomington Road, Champaign

  • To schedule an appointment, please call (217) 356-1558.

Carle Health

  • Appointments will be available at primary care offices and made available soon, check Carle.org for more information. 

OSF HealthCare

Christie Clinic

  • Christie Clinic will have booster vaccine available in limited primary care Christie Clinic offices for Christie Clinic patients 50 years and older. If patients have an upcoming appointment, they are encouraged to discuss their eligibility with their primary care provider. For patients without an upcoming appointment, they can visit one of the community-based clinics or visit vaccine.gov to find a vaccine site nearest to them.

Pharmacies

Please note, additional vaccination options may be available through other retail locations.

Additional information on COVID-19 vaccinations can be found at: https://www.c-uphd.org/covid-vaccinations.html.

Community-Based COVID-19 Testing Sites to End Operations March 31

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced today that in response to a sharp drop in the demand for COVID-19 testing services at the ten Community-Based Testing Sites (including Champaign) and the anticipated end of federal funding, operations at the locations will end on March 31. See full press release below.

Find SHIELD testing sites here (open to all regardless of symptoms, appointment not required): https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19/testing.html

Also:

  • Today from Carle: Starting Monday, March 28, the Carle COVID-19 drive-thru testing sites in Champaign, Danville, Mattoon and Olney will close. After weeks of low transmission rates and usage in the region, Carle team members will be redeployed to areas of greater need. Link to announcement: 
    • Exposed or symptomatic community members in the Champaign-Urbana region can still receive a COVID-19 test by calling the COVID-19 Hotline at (217) 902-6100 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. to register for a test and instruction for the closest testing location. 
    • Patients preparing for a procedure in need of a test should contact their provider’s office for next steps.
  • Today from Parkland: starting next Monday, March 28, Parkland College will discontinue the COVID-19 entry checking system, and will reopen all entrances to campus facilities. You will not be expected to use the Safer Community app. We will continue to serve as a SHIELD-CU testing site, which will expand its hours to include Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Masks are still required at the E building testing location. We appreciate your patience and partnership in helping us keep our community safe throughout the past two years.

Illinois Indoor Masking Requirement to End Monday, February 28, 2022

Hospitalizations decrease by 50% and ICU capacity increased by 24%

SPRINGFIELD – Due to the continued decrease in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, and increase in available ICU beds, the Illinois indoor mask requirement will end Monday, February 28, 2022, at 12:01 a.m.  Since the Governor announced his plan to lift the indoor mask requirement, the number of people in the hospital with COVID-19 has been cut in half and the number of ICU beds available increased by 24%.  Illinois’ weekly COVID-19 case rate has also decreased by 70%, 
 
More than 8 million people in Illinois are fully vaccinated with an average of approximately 16,000 COVID-19 vaccines administered each day, including more than 4,600 first doses daily.  
 
“Throughout this pandemic, we’ve taken action to save lives and keep our economy open – and I’m proud that Illinoisans have done the hard work that has our made our state a leader in the Midwest,” said Governor JB Pritzker.  “Today, our hospitals are much better positioned to handle emergencies and more than half of all eligible adults have been boosted; this is the progress we needed to make to remove our state indoor masking requirements. As individuals, I encourage everyone to make the best choices going forward to protect your health, along with that of your family and community – and most importantly to treat each other with kindness and compassion.” 
 
“We are now entering the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic and while our focus continues to be on preventing severe illness and ensuring our health care systems aren’t overwhelmed, we are also looking forward to how we will coexist with COVID-19,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “We each have a role to play in staying healthy and we have many tools that can help protect us from severe illness due to COVID-19.  Our tools include readily available safe and effective vaccines, monoclonal antibody and oral antiviral treatments, at-home testing, as well as the personal health actions people can take such as avoiding crowds, hand washing, and continued mask wearing as may be recommended.”  
 
Masks will still be required where federally mandated (including on public transit), health care facilities, congregate settings, long term care facilities, and daycare settings. Additionally, private businesses and municipalities may choose to implement their own masking requirements.  Schools are urged to continue following state and federal guidance to help keep students and staff safe in the classroom. The Governor will review the results of lifting the indoor mask mandate before making any announcement regarding the school mask mandate.    
 
In the last four months of 2021 following the reinstatement of Illinois’ mask mandate on August 30, 2021, Illinois had fewer COVID-19 hospitalizations per capita and fewer COVID-19 deaths per capita than the entire Great Lakes region.  In the same period, Illinois out-tested the entire Midwest on a per capita basis, providing residents with significantly better access to testing than any of its neighbors.  Even with a much greater testing capacity, Illinois saw fewer reported COVID-19 cases per capita during this time than neighbors such as Iowa and Missouri.   
 
Illinois remains a standout in the Midwest for its vaccination rates.  Illinois is home to the highest percentage of residents who have received a COVID-19 vaccine as well as the highest percentage of vaccinated and fully vaccinated 5–17-year-olds. 
 
Vaccines continue to be readily available at pharmacies across the state, many local health departments, doctor offices, federally qualified health centers, and other locations.  To find a COVID-19 vaccination location near you, go to www.vaccines.gov

Update on State Deployments for Testing, Vaccines, and Health Care

The State coordinated almost 8,000 mobile vaccination clinics providing more than 243,000 vaccinations to some of our most vulnerable residents (long-term care residents, minority communities, schools, people experiencing homelessness, immigrant communities, and many others).  Of those clinics, the State partnered with community groups and non-profits on more than 2,000 clinics with a specific focus on equity and administered more than 86,100 vaccines.  Almost 75,000 vaccinations were provided at the more than 2,000 school/youth vaccination clinics.  These mobile vaccination clinics are one reason Illinois is a leading state for COVID-19 vaccinations.  
 
Because of the widespread availability of COVID-19 vaccines, the State will begin winding down its mobile vaccination clinics over the next month as federal funding decreases.  Schools, organizations, and other groups wanting to host a vaccination clinic should file an application within the coming weeks at https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19/vaccinationclinics.html.   
 
During the Delta and Omicron surges the State provided health care staffing support to hospitals and other health care facilities across the state.  At the peak of the Omicron surge, Illinois had nearly 3,000 nurses and other health care workers deployed across the state to keep our health care system operating.  But as the number of people in hospitals with COVID-19 falls back to pre-surge levels and with federal funding reimbursement for this support ending April 1, the State will draw down its emergency staffing support over the next month and work with our public and private partners as they retake responsibility for their long-term staffing needs. 
 
Testing has also become much more readily available with at-home tests at many pharmacies and the ability to order free COVID-19 tests at covidtest.gov. The 10 state community-based testing sites are currently open three days a week, but as we continue to see the number of cases and the demand for testing decrease – and we head into summer when we’ve seen the fewest number of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, mass testing locations will close in favor of more cost-effective testing options.

COVID-19 Treatment Availability

COVID-19 treatments can also help decrease the burden on hospitals.  While vaccination and boosting are still the best protection against severe illness due to COVID-19,  there are currently two monoclonal antibody treatments, sotrovimab and bebtelovimab,, two oral antivirals, Paxlovid and molnupiravir, and a preventive drug, Evusheld, available across Illinois.  Talk with your health care provider as soon as possible after testing positive for COVID-19 to see if you are eligible for one of these treatments and to get a prescription.  You can use the COVID-19 Outpatient Therapy Locator to find a location to fill your prescription.

Statewide Indoor Mask Requirement to Lift on February 28

Gov. Pritzker Announces Illinois Plan to Lift Statewide Indoor Mask Requirement on Monday, February 28 

Illinois Recording Fastest Hospitalization Decline of Pandemic  

Larger Percentage of Illinoisans Have Received a COVID-19 Shot than Anywhere in Midwest

CHICAGO – With statewide COVID-19 hospitalization rates declining faster than any other point in the pandemic, Illinois is on track to lift the statewide indoor mask requirement on Monday, February 28, 2022. Mask requirements will continue where federally mandated, such as on public transit and in high-risk settings including healthcare facilities and congregate care. Masking requirements will also continue to apply in all daycare settings.  The state intends to continue masking requirements in P-12 schools subject to pending litigation which impacts a number of schools. As the CDC reaffirmed just today, masks remain a critical tool to keep schools safe and open.

The state reaches this point with more than 21.4 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered to Illinois residents. Per the CDC, Illinois continues to lead the Midwest in people who have received at least one shot, with 75.7% of people having received their first dose. Illinois also has the most fully vaccinated 17-and-under population in the region, though across the nation, youth vaccination rates continue to trail adult rates.

“We are now seeing the fastest rate of decline in our COVID-19 hospitalization metrics since the pandemic began. If these trends continue — and we expect them to —then on Monday, February 28th, we will lift the indoor mask requirement for the State of Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I want to be clear: Many local jurisdictions, businesses and organizations have their own mask requirements and other mitigations that must be respected. Throughout this pandemic, we’ve deployed the tools available to us as needed. Our approach has saved lives and kept our economy open and growing.”

Today the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting 4,742 new confirmed and probable cases and 2,496 people in the hospital with COVID-19.  IDPH is also reporting 449 people with COVID-19 in the ICU and 243 people on ventilators. With 20% of ICU beds now available statewide, this marks the fastest rate of decline in the hospital metrics since the pandemic began.

“While masks will no longer be required in most indoor locations beginning February 28, they are still recommended,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike.  “Masks offer a layer of protection and for people who have an underlying health condition or who are around those who do, you may choose to continue wearing a mask.  Similarly, if you find yourself in a crowded, indoor setting, a mask can still help protect you.  We will continue to recommend masks.”

Statewide Indoor Mask Requirement 

Illinoisans can resume activities without wearing a mask indoors on February 28th except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. Federal requirements, in effect through at least March 18, include all transportation systems such as airports, planes, trains, and buses.

“Preparing to repeal statewide masking mandates at the end of the month is aggressive and optimistic but reasonable,” said Dr. Emily Landon, University of Chicago Medicine, Executive Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control. “Broad mandates are not about individuals. They are put in place to help protect communities, businesses, and healthcare access. Repealing the mask mandate allows people to choose the mitigation layers that are best for them and I have no doubt that many should and will choose to keep mask rules.”

To account for the risk of community spread among more vulnerable populations, and in accordance with CDC guidance, Illinois will continue to require masks in the following settings: 

• Healthcare Settings: Continue mask requirement  
• Long Term Care Facilities: Continue mask requirement  
• Congregate Settings (prisons, shelters, etc.): Continue mask requirement  
• Transportation: Follow federal guidelines 
• Daycare: Follow Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) guidelines

Municipalities and businesses in most industries may choose to continue to implement more strict public health mitigations as they deem appropriate, including requiring masks.  

School Settings

Nationally, 23% of 5- to 11-year-olds and 56% of 12- to 17-year-olds are fully vaccinated, compared to 71% of 18-to-64-year-olds and 89 percent of those 65 and up. This disparity leaves schools at far greater risk of significant outbreaks than the general population. Additionally, school environments can include younger children who aren’t yet vaccine-eligible. 

Given that schools need more time for community infection rates to drop, for young children to become vaccine eligible, and for more parents to have their kids vaccinated, masks will continue to be required in P-12 school settings unless pending litigation impacts a school. 

“Children’s social-emotional and academic growth is best supported in the in-person educational setting, so extra precaution should be taken to prevent disruption and avoid adaptive pauses and remote learning,” said Dr. Zach Rubin, a pediatric immunologist based in DuPage County. “Maintaining masking and mitigation practices in the school environment buys us more time for infection rates to drop, for parents to get their 5-to-17-year-olds vaccinated, and for the 6 month to 4 years age group to become vaccine eligible.”

The FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee will meet to discuss authorizing the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine for administration to children 6 months through 4 years of age on February 15th. The request for authorization will also be reviewed by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the CDC.

Pandemic Relief 

To help businesses recover from the pandemic, the Governor in partnership with the General Assembly, has awarded nearly $1 billion in grants to more than 12,000 small businesses across every sector of the Illinois economy. As a result, tens of thousands of Illinois residents have been able to keep their jobs.

“Governor Pritzker continues to use a data-based approach to keeping Illinoisans safe and growing our Illinois economy,” said Acting DCEO Director Sylvia I. Garcia.  “This policy strikes the right balance for businesses, communities and individuals across our state.”

Illinois returned to a statewide indoor mask requirement on August 30, 2021, as ICU bed availability in certain regions of the state dropped into the low single digits. Illinois required masks in all P-12 schools and daycares on August 4, 2021, following the strong recommendation of the CDC. 

According to the CDC, it is critical that individuals continue to use and layer prevention strategies.  All Illinois residents over the age of 5 are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost and proof of immigration status is not required to receive the vaccine. To find a vaccination center near you, visit vaccines.gov.

Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests

Effective immediately, every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. The tests are completely free.

Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Order your tests now so you have them when you need them: https://www.covidtests.gov/

You can access the direct link to the USPS site (currently only available to residential households, orders will ship free starting in late January): https://special.usps.com/testkits

COVID-19 Testing FAQs

Provided by Illinois Department of Public Health

Q: Does the Illinois Department of Public Health regulate COVID-19 testing sites?
A: Illinois law does not assign the Illinois Department of Public Health (Department) or any state agency authority to license or authorize the operations of private specimen collection and testing sites for COVID-19, with a limited exception. The Department regulates laboratories that perform testing for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment pursuant to federal Clinical Lab Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and state rules. Point-of-care test sites (POC sites) are sites where there is a rapid test performed on site. POC sites are required to operate under a CLIA certificate. For testing sites       operating under a CLIA-certified laboratory, the Department can investigate complaints that are potential violations of the CLIA regulations at the POC sites, which are considered extensions of the CLIA-certified laboratory.  Ultimately, the CLIA-certified laboratory is responsible for CLIA violations at the POC site.

Q: What do CLIA regulations cover?
A: CLIA regulations establish quality standards for laboratory testing performed on specimens from humans, such as blood, body fluid and tissue, for the purpose of diagnosis, prevention, treatment of disease or overall assessment of health. Most CLIA violations discovered at POC testing sites relate to improper specimen type, environmental conditions, collection/specimen integrity, erroneous results and failure to follow instructions for test use.


CLIA regulations do not set forth personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, specific turnaround times for test results, crowd capacity or a cap on the kinds of fees/charges for testing.


CLIA regulations can be found here.

Q: How do I know if the lab that is processing my test is CLIA-certified?
A: Upon arrival at the testing site, ask which laboratory your specimen will be sent to, and ask for lab’s CLIA number. To find out if a lab is certified visit: https://qcor.cms.gov/advanced_find_provider.jsp?which=4&backReport=active_CLIA.jsp. This website will show the “certificate type” for the lab, and whether the lab is functioning under a CLIA certificate.

Q: Can I file a complaint with the Department against a CLIA-certified lab?
A: You may file a complaint with the Department by visiting the following site: https://dph.illinois.gov/ content/dam/soi/en/web/idph/files/forms/clia-ccr-complaint-form-fields-041216.pdf

Q: Who is authorized to perform COVID-19 tests?
A: The public is advised that COVID-19 tests are being administered by licensed healthcare professionals and by unlicensed persons. Persons administering COVID-19 tests are not required under Illinois law to be licensed healthcare professionals.
 
Q: Is it permissible for the testing site to ask me for payment for the test at the time of service?
A: The testing site should not ask you for payment at the time of the test. If you have insurance, the testing site may ask for that information and bill your insurance. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act generally prohibits private health insurance coverage or group health plans from imposing cost-sharing on both the test itself and the health care provider’s administration of the test, as long as the purpose of the testing is for your individualized diagnosis or treatment of COVID-19. Additionally, health care providers who have received federal funds from the Provider Relief Fund are contractually prohibited from balance billing you for the test or its administration, even if they are out-of-network for your insurance plan. However, health insurance plans are not generally required to provide coverage of COVID-19 testing for public     surveillance or employment purposes. Short-term, limited duration insurance policies and “excepted benefits” policies may subject members to some portion of the provider’s fee.

If you do not have insurance, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, the provider may bill the Illinois HFS COVID Portal or the federal HRSA COVID-19 Uninsured Program. Providers who participate in, and are reimbursed from these programs, for qualified COVID-19 related services rendered to you, are not allowed to collect any additional fees.

Regardless of your insurance status, if you experience or witness any potential violations of this requirement you can report the matter to the Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS or the website TIPS.HHS.GOV. If you are a Medicaid customer or are uninsured and you have been asked to pay out of pocket for a COVID-19 test, please call HFS at 877-805-5312 and press 9 for assistance.

Q: Is the testing site allowed to ask for my personal information or protected health information before it conducts a COVID-19 test?
A: Yes, the testing site is allowed to request personal contact information and information related to health- related matters that are used as screening tools before administering the COVID-19 test. However, testing  sites, like any health care provider, must follow privacy regulations under federal and state law, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). If you believe the testing site has violated HIPAA, you may file a complaint with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) at https:// www.hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint/index.html.

Q: What is the best way to find a reliable COVID-19 testing site?
A:  Testing is available at 10 free State community-based testing sites, which are listed on the Department’s website at https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19/testing.html.  The website also provides a link to free SHIELD Illinois testing locations.  You can also reach out to your primary health care provider, the nearest urgent care center, local pharmacy, and your local health department to ask about testing options.

Q: Where can I file a complaint if I have concerns about a testing site?

A: Individuals are encouraged to file a complaint on the Attorney General’s website if they believe they have been the victim of fraud, if they were not charged at the time of a COVID-19 test but later receive a bill for testing services, or if they have experienced or witnessed price gouging. On January 11, 2022, the Attorney General’s Office issued this consumer alert relating to pop-up COVID testing sites.

You may contact the municipality in which the business is located and file a complaint. Most municipalities require business permits or licenses to operate within their jurisdiction.

You may also contact the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and file a complaint at https://www.bbb.org/ file-a-complaint.

Q: What if I never receive my test result or am a close contact of a confirmed or probable case and am unable to find a test?
A: Regardless of symptoms, you should follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance on isolation, quarantine, and masking which can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html.

COVID-19 Testing Updates in Champaign County

Post-holiday gatherings, it is critical to get tested to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community. To address the demand for testing, the community testing site at Market Place Mall Due will be open Monday through Friday (12/27/21–12/31/21) from 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Starting next week on January 3 until further notice, it will be open Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Per the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, please do NOT use Carle, OSF, Christie Clinic, or Promise Healthcare for COVID testing unless you have symptoms, a high-risk exposure or when directed there by your healthcare provider. Please use the mall testing site, SHIELD-CU sites (YMCA, CRCE, or Parkland), the free rapid test site at the southeast corner of Springfield & Duncan, or Campustown Urgent Care for COVID testing.

For a full list of all testing options available in Champaign County, visit the CUPHD website.

Thank you for doing your part in keeping Champaign County Safe.