Starting May 3, Cook County Health’s COVID mass vaccination sites will recognize Mondays as Restaurant Worker Day with the goal of driving more individuals to get vaccinated.

“Restaurant workers are among the essential workers who kept us going during the depths of the pandemic,” said Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Board President. “Now, we are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel and people are returning to restaurants for a sense of normalcy and camaraderie that we have all craved. Yet, risks remain. We are still seeing new cases of COVID infection. This is not a time to let our guard down.”

Cook County Health operates six mass vaccination sites across the county that offer vaccines for walk-ins as well as those with appointments. Restaurant workers are encouraged to visit one of those sites to get their vaccine. Details about the sites are available at cookcountyhealth.org/covid19-vaccine-sites/

“Restaurant staff are among the essential workers have kept our society going during the pandemic,” said Israel Rocha, Cook County Health CEO. “We want to be sure that everybody knows how they can get vaccinated and encourage them to do so. We hope that Restaurant Worker Days will provide an opportunity for those who have not been vaccinated to get their shot.”

Cook County Health is working with the Illinois Restaurant Association and the Chicago Medical Society to promote Restaurant Worker Day to restaurant staff and food service workers across the county.

“Hundreds of restaurants in Cook County have closed during the pandemic and thousands of jobs have been lost. The restaurant industry was the first to be shut down and will likely be the last to recover,” said Sam Toia, Illinois Restaurant Association President. “Vaccinations are crucial to drive our COVID numbers down and to get guests back in restaurants. I encourage all food operators and employees to take advantage of these sites.”

“The eager beavers have all gotten their vaccines- that’s about half of all eligible Cook County residents. Encouraging the next 30 to 40 percent of people to get vaccinated is going to be hard work. It will require partnerships and new initiatives like Restaurant Worker Day to turn people out and reduce hesitancy,” said Dr. Vishnu Chundi, Chicago Medical Society’s COVID-19 Committee Chair. 

“I want to encourage everyone to get the COVID vaccine. I have had my two shots. My family has gotten their two shots. It is very important,” said Ernestino Roldan, who has worked at the East Bank Club as a server for 29 years.

Walk-ins are welcome at all CCH mass vaccination sites. Individuals can still make appointments at vaccine.cookcountyil.gov or by calling 833-308-1988, Monday – Friday from 7AM – 10PM and Saturday from 8AM – 10PM.

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Alexandra Normington
Associate Chief Communications & Marketing Officer
Cook County Health

[email protected]
312.519.2769