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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
REQUESTING A PUBLIC HEARING OF THE COOK COUNTY HEALTH AND HOSPITALS COMMITTEE FOR A COOK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH BRIEFING ON COVID-19 VACCINE PLANS FOR SUBURBAN COOK COUNTY
WHEREAS, On January 27, 2020, the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services declared that COVID-19, a respiratory illness spread by close contact through respiratory droplets, presents a public health emergency, and the World Health Organization characterized the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic on March 11, 2020; and
WHEREAS, The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) is the Illinois certified local health department for suburban Cook County, Illinois, with the exception of Evanston, Skokie, Oak Park, and Stickney Township, serving 127 municipalities; and
WHEREAS, on December 14, 2020, in the CCDPH’s jurisdiction 157,083 cases of COVID-19 and 2,899 deaths attributable to the pandemic have been reported; and
WHEREAS, the FDA approved emergency use authorization of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on December 11, and first shipments of the vaccine are expected to be delivered to suburban Cook County by the Illinois Department of Public Health the week of December 14, 2020; and
WHEREAS, CCDPH, working alongside the Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security, will be working to ensure receipt and distribution of the vaccine to the health care entities in its jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, CCDPH is working with partners to reach diverse populations and communities, including regional healthcare coalitions, federally qualified healthcare centers, pharmacies, long term care facilities, and community leaders, to develop flexible and responsive COVID-19 vaccination programs that can accommodate different vaccines; and
WHEREAS, CCDPH will take the lead in coordination, immunizing critical populations, and identifying and bridging gaps in vaccine coverage, and is committed to planning for the equitable distribution of vaccine and ensuring health equity is a driving component of any vaccine plans;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Health and Hospitals Committee convene a public hearing to discuss the Cook County Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 vaccine plan for suburban Cook County.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Health and Hospitals Committee will provide a monthly update to discuss the Cook County Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 vaccine plans as well as contact tracing plans for Suburban Cook County.
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