(CHICAGO) – In a targeted effort to help restore critical public services to the community in vulnerable communities, Cook County has announced that Thornton Fractional (TF) South High School in Lansing, IL will serve as a pilot Educational POD (Point of Distribution) for COVID vaccines. The site opened on Tuesday and will have the capacity to serve as many as 400 eligible individuals every day when adequate vaccine supply becomes available.

“We know that schools serve as a trusted anchor in their communities and deeply appreciate the partnership with Thornton Fractional as we look to achieve an equitable distribution of vaccine in an area that has been severely impacted by COVID,” said Toni Preckwinkle, President, Cook County Board of Commissioners.

The TF Educational POD will provide vaccines to thousands of individuals who are employees of Thornton Fractional District 215, staff of feeder schools and other educators in the South Suburban Conference. Eligible individuals will be contacted by Thornton Fractional for scheduling. Following completion of this group and assuming adequate vaccine supply, officials expect to expand vaccinations to families of students in the area who are eligible under Phase 1a or 1b.

“We hope that by bringing vaccination to the community in a hyperlocal manner, we will have the opportunity to address concerns and encourage vaccination as an opportunity to stop the spread of COVID and restart normal life. We are confident in our strategy, anxious to get started and look forward to opening additional targeted PODs across the county as vaccine supply increases,” said Israel Rocha, CEO, Cook County Health.

In addition to Educational PODS, Cook County Health plans to open additional targeted population PODS in the coming weeks for first responders.

CONTACT:
Kate Hedlin, Communications Manager
kate.hedlin@cookcountyhhs.org
312-805-2038