Getting Vaccinated Is Greatest Gift This Year, Gov. Pritzker Says

ILLINOIS — The state is launching a new vaccination campaign, billing the life-saving shots from Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson as the "greatest gift you can give this year."

The push comes as state health officials say unvaccinated teenagers are causing classroom outbreaks and driving a surge in coronavirus cases ahead of the holidays. Vaccines are now available for children as young as 5.

State health officials say the statewide mask mandate is likely to stick around through the holidays, but that widely available vaccines will make it safer to celebrate the holidays with friends and family.

"Vaccines work and are our best way to protect ourselves and those closest to us as we celebrate the holidays," said state public health director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. "We've all gone through a lot of the last two years, and being fully vaccinated gets us one step closer to once again celebrating our cherished traditions. Getting your life-saving shot is the greatest gift you can give this holiday season."

Officials say the vaccination campaign will "appear in every corner of Illinois," reaching residents in both English and Spanish through both traditional and online media channels, including cable and broadcast television, radio, billboards, print and social media. The campaign's cost is expected to be reimbursed by the federal government.

"As we look forward to a return to a holiday season filled with family and friends, the greatest gift you can give is protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19," Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement. "As a father, I was relieved when my kids got vaccinated because I know they're protected from getting sick with this deadly virus. I urge all parents to protect their families with the incredibly effective COVID-19 vaccine."

The state's message takes on increased importance as hospitalizations and deaths again start to rise across the state.

On Friday, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported 28,280 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 statewide and 150 more deaths over the last week.

In total, 1.76 million cases have been diagnosed in Illinois since the pandemic began, and 26,227 Illinoisans have died. As of Friday, 1,759 people remain hospitalized statewide, including 350 in intensive care and 152 on ventilators.

The statewide case positivity rate has ticked up 0.7 percentage points, from 2.5 percent a week ago to 3.2 percent on Friday. The test positivity rate has risen 1.3 percentage points, to 3.8 percent.

State health officials report about 61 percent of Illinoisans have been fully vaccinated, while about 67 percent have had at least one shot. But the percentages vary greatly by county. For example, in Cook County, more than 63 percent of residents are fully vaccinated, while in Alexander County, just 19 percent are.

RELATED:

• Unvaccinated Teens Spur New COVID Surge, School Outbreaks: Report
• IL Health Officials Recommend COVID Vaccine For Kids 5-11
• IL COVID Spike: Mask Mandate Likely To Stay Through The Holidays
• IL Holiday COVID-19 Guidance: Vaccines Will Make Season Safer