Elizabeth Balada and Denise Bergen of the Will County Health Department updated the committee on immunization availability, West Nile virus activity and federal funding considerations.

Balada announced the department received some COVID-19 vaccine supply and invited residents to schedule immunizations through the department’s immunizations unit. "We did get some of the COVID vaccine in at our health department," Balada said, providing a phone number for appointments.

Bergen briefed the committee on West Nile virus statewide and locally: the state reported 101 cases and Will County has six confirmed cases during the season. "There's 101 cases in the state. Right now in Will County, we have 6," Bergen said, and she urged residents to use repellent and take evening precautions.

On federal funding, Bergen told the committee that the health department receives grant funding and Medicaid/Medicare reimbursements and that those payments are considered essential; a short-term federal shutdown would likely not stop reimbursements but could delay cash flow and drawdowns if it continues. "We are not anticipating a large impact from this shutdown because these healthcare services are considered essential, so payments will continue," she said, while adding longer disruptions could create timing problems.

The health department also reported an open house at the North branch to celebrate expansion of community health and behavioral health services and noted attendance by county officials and state legislators. Staff said they will continue to monitor communicable disease activity and report back as needed.