CDC Director Visits UI Health, Talks About the Importance of Vaccination
Friday, November 17, 2023
CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen met with UI Health leaders during her Nov. 6 visit.
On Monday, Nov. 6, Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, toured UI Health and visited vaccination clinics in the University of Illinois Hospital and Specialty Care Building to urge Chicagoans to get the latest COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines.
The vaccination event was held in partnership with the Chicago Hispanic Health Coalition.
“CDC director Dr. Cohen was able to see the collaboration between UI Health, the local department of health, and the Chicago Hispanic Health Coalition to serve those most in need in our communities,” said Dr. Susan Bleasdale, Chief Quality Officer at UI Health.
The event was aimed to reduce barriers and increase Hispanic community access to vaccination. UI Health provided vaccinations to uninsured patients at no cost. This is one of many such vaccination events, UI Health has hosted in partnership with community and government organizations to help increase vaccination rates across Chicago and Illinois over the past few years.
“It is important for all to stay up to date with vaccinations as we enter respiratory viral season,” said Bleasdale.
There’s still time to get the flu shot before seasonal gatherings start and exposure to viruses like the flu, COVID-19, and RSV increase. UI Health offers the COVID-19 at primary care clinics throughout Chicago. UI Health patients can also get the flu shot at UI Health outpatient pharmacies and clinics. For more information, visit Vaccine.UIHealth.Care.
