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COVID-19 Boosters Now Available to Those Ages 5 to 11

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2022

Contact
Julie Pryde, Administrator
(217) 531-5369 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

COVID-19 Boosters Now Available to Those Ages 5 to 11

COVID vaccinations available throughout community

CHAMPAIGN, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD), in partnership with Carle

Health, OSF HealthCare, Christie Clinic, Promise Healthcare, and the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign continue to provide COVID-19 initial vaccination doses, boosters, and Pfizer pediatric vaccinations and boosters. 

On Thursday, May 19, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gave final approval supporting ACIP’s (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) decision to provide Pfizer booster shots for children ages 5 to 11. Eligibility to receive the booster requires it to be at least five months after the child’s second dose of the initial series. For additional first and second booster shot information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html.

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District – 201 W. Kenyon Road, Champaign

Promise Healthcare – 819 Bloomington Road, Champaign

Carle Health

  • Appointments will be available at primary care and pediatric offices and made available soon, check Carle.org for more information.

OSF HealthCare

Christie Clinic

  • Parents and guardians of Christie Clinic pediatric patients ages 5 – 11 are encouraged to send a MyChristie patient portal message to their provider to arrange for a booster appointment.
  • To register for a MyChristie account visit: https://www.christieclinic.com/mychristie.

Pharmacies

Please note, additional vaccination options may be available through other retail locations.

Additional information on COVID-19 vaccinations can be found at: https://www.c-uphd.org/covidvaccinations.html.

 

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Download 2022-05-20-COVID-Pfizer-Booster-PR

Period Product Community Donation Drive

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2022                                                                      

CONTACT
Alyx McElfresh, Health Educator II
(217) 531-2912 /This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Kami Lafoon, Health Educator II 
(217) 531-2915 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Period Product Community Donation Drive

May 28th is World Menstrual Hygiene Day

CHAMPAIGN, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is excited to announce a new campaign launching May 23, 2022, to collect a variety of period products to distribute to menstruating individuals in Champaign County. According to the Alliance for Period Supplies in the United States, one in four menstruating individuals struggle to purchase products for their period and one in four school-aged students missed class due to a lack of period supplies. Period products are a necessary part of menstruating individuals' healthcare. “Our goal for this campaign is to raise awareness of the very real effects of period poverty and to do our part as a community to help ease this burden. If our community can work together to ensure that a wide variety of products are always available to individuals, then together we can help to eliminate unnecessary stress for our community members who menstruate,” said Alyx McElfresh.

An Amazon wish list has been curated for virtual donations that will be sent directly to CUPHD to distribute to clients and community members. Products can also be donated in-person at CUPHD during the week of May 23-27. There will be a drop box inside the lobby where donations may be placed.

Ways to donate

  • Online: Amazon wish list
  • In person: CUPHD; 201 W. Kenyon Rd., Champaign, IL o May 23-27th drop box inside CUPHD Main Lobby
    • Lobby open 8am-4:30pm; Monday-Friday

Community members who need supplies can ask for products at the check-in window next to the donation bin. 

For more information on Period Poverty, please visit https://www.c-uphd.org/period-product-drive.html.

 

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Download 2022-05-19-Period-Product-Drive-PR

Cat Tests Positive for Tularemia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2022

Contact
Robert Davies Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
(217) 531-2932/ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Cat Tests Positive for Tularemia

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Encourages Citizens to be Aware of Local Tularemia Case

Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is encouraging area residents to be aware that a cat in Urbana was recently diagnosed with tularemia. Tularemia is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis found in animals.

F. tularensis bacteria can be transmitted to humans via the skin when handling infected animal tissue. Infection can also occur when hunting or skinning infected rabbits, and by inhaling dust or aerosols contaminated with F. tularensis bacteria. This can occur during farming or landscaping activities, especially when machinery (e.g. tractors or mowers) runs over infected animals or carcasses. People can also become infected by being bitten by ticks carrying tularemia. Human infection can range from asymptomatic illness to life-threatening. Typically, patients with tularemia present with abrupt onset of fever, chills, headache and fatigue following an incubation period of two to 10 days. Additional signs and symptoms may be observed depending on the site of entry. If you develop symptoms of tularemia see your health care provider.

Many animals have also been known to become ill with tularemia including rabbits, muskrats, prairie dogs and other rodents. Domestic cats are very susceptible to tularemia and have been known to transmit the bacteria to humans. Cats may develop a variety of symptoms including high fever, mouth ulcers, depression, enlarged lymph nodes and anorexia.  

To reduce the chance that you or your family members will become infected:

  • Wear tick protection when outdoors
  • Do not mow over sick or dead animals
  • Do not handle wild animals
  • Cook wild game meat thoroughly before eating and use gloves when handling the animal and preparing the meat for cooking
  • Take any pet with symptoms of tularemia to the veterinarian

To reduce the chances that your cat will become infected:

  • Do not allow your cat to hunt outdoors
  • Consult with your veterinarian to make sure your cat is protected from tick bites
  • Report any unexplained large die-offs of rodents or rabbits to CUPHD

To remove a dead rabbit from your yard, use two plastic trash bags and wear gloves. Keep the rabbit away from your face and carefully pick up the dead rabbit with gloved hands, or shovel if available, and place the body, without swinging it, into the trash bag, then double bag and place in the trash. If you use a shovel, place it in a five-gallon bucket with water using one cup of bleach per gallon of water. Let the shovel sit for a half hour to disinfect. Keep the bucket out of reach from children and pets.

For more information on tularemia, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/tularemia/.

 

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Download 2022-04-15-Tularemia-Alert-PR