With three COVID-19* vaccines approved for emergency use, and more possibly on the way, One Family Illinois felt it was time to start talking about vaccination with our team members. At this time, polls show nearly two-thirds of Americans in December said they would be willing to take an FDA-approved vaccine right now if available at no cost. This is somewhat unchanged from the polls completed in November of last year.
With this in mind, One Family Illinois decided to embark on an educational campaign, A Dose of Hope, to share resources and personal staff testimonials about the COVID-19 vaccine as a means for better understanding how we as a Village can continue healing together.
We realize that the decision to be vaccinated is a personal one, as well as an important decision that needs reflection (perhaps for some, guidance from a medical provider). At the same time, we realize the vaccine is the best protection we have to keep ourselves and others safe.
Thus, One Family Illinois began the educational campaign with a series of open-forum dialogues with staff about the concerns and thoughts people have about the vaccine. Here staff shared their thoughts, opinions, fears through a conversation format.
An additional opportunity to hear from a medical profession was offered at our All Staff Meeting. Rama Dandamudi, M.D., an One Family Illinois Board Member, spoke about the COVID-19 vaccine in relationship to the flu vaccine, shared insight into the technology used to create the vaccine, and spoke to its effectivness.
Access to the COVID-19 Vaccine
At the same time, SOS Ilinois has able to establish a relationship with Esperanza Health Centers (Brighton Park) located at 4700 S. California in Chicago. This clinic is a Federally Qualified Health Center providing an array of medical services to the community. The Esperanza Clinic has secured Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, which were then offered to staff. We are grateful that a number of our essential workers were able to get access to the vaccine at this time.
My Why: Staff Testimonials
The staff members who were able to share their voices during both the open forum dialogues and All Staff Meeting created meaningful conversations and have been a great help to all of us. As a result of their suggestions, we are happy to share an ongoing series called My Why, which will provide an opportunity to hear from the voices of One Family Illinois staff members.
COVID-19 Vaccine Resources
Although we do not claim to be experts when it comes to the COVID-19 virus or vaccine, we do however, feel it is important to contribute in meaningful ways to help our staff and community learn more about what the options are and how to best make an in informed decision as to whether or not getting the COVID-19 vaccine is the best option for you.
We are including fact sheets that can be useful when doing research and considering taking either the Moderna, Pfizer, or Johnson & Johnson* vaccines (this vaccine is currently on hold for use as per the CDC).
For up-to-date information you can visit the CDC website directly at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/eua/index.html.
COVID-19 Vaccination Site Open
The State of Illinois, the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH), and the National Guard have opened a COVID-19 vaccination site at the Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Drive. Appointments are required; it is not a walk-up site.
Eligible categories:
- Age 65 and over
- Essential workers
- Now, adults and teens 16 and older
For more information, click here.
Other Locations:
- Mariano’s – click here
- Walgreens – click here
- Walmart – click here
- Jewel-Osco – click here
- State Wide Zip Finder – click here
Vaccine Finder:
VaccineFinder is operated by Boston Children’s Hospital and supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the United States Digital Service. Click here to enter your zip code and search where you can register for a COVID-19 vaccine near you.
Ongoing Updates
We look forward to sharing ongoing updates related to the vaccine and our educational campaign as we heal together from the COVID-19 pandemic.
* One Family Illinois made an update to the blog on 4/14/21 related to the CDC requiring the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to be put on hold. As more information is shared, we will continue to update this blog.
* One Family Illinois made a revision to the blog on 4/29/21 related to the hold on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine being lifted.