Chicago Care Van Tours the City for Back-to-School Immunizations

City Launches New Back-to-School Immunization Locator Map

CHICAGO – The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is teaming up with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) to get Chicago students back to school healthy.

The CDPH/BCBSIL Chicago Care Van will tour the city to provide students with the required immunizations they need to start the new school year, including a newly required T-dap vaccine for students entering grades 6-12.

“Making sure that children receive their required vaccinations before school starts is one of the most important things parents can do,” said Dr. Julie Morita, medical director for the CDPH Immunization Program. “Healthy students learn better. When our students are healthier, our classrooms, schools and communities will be healthier.”

"At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, we are proud of our 23 year partnership with the Chicago Department of Public Health to provide wellness on wheels to the people of Chicago," said Donna Gerber, vice-president of Strategy and Community Investment for BCBSIL. "It's just one way our company is working to help the next generation grow up healthy and fit."

Chicago Care Van immunizations are free for all children from birth through 18 years of age. Parents should bring immunization records for each child being served on the Care Van.

In addition to the Chicago Care Van, CDPH and BCBSIL together are sponsoring citywide back-to-school immunization clinics at parks, schools and other community-based establishments across Chicago.

For the 2013-14 school year, CDPH expects to provide hundreds of Chicago students with whooping cough, measles, mumps, rubella, polio, chickenpox and other required vaccines.

CDPH teamed up again with local web developer Tom Kompare to create a new web app that allows parents to track, online or via a mobile device, all CDPH back-to-school vaccination events in their area. CDPH and Kompare first worked together last year to launch an online app that pinpoints CDPH’s yearly community flu vaccine clinics.

“We continuously look for ways to make healthy living easier for Chicago residents,” said Dr. Bechara Choucair, CDPH Commissioner. “Innovation and technology empowers us to take control of our health by having the right information available on-the-go via our smartphones, tablets and more.”

For more information on CDPH back-to-school immunization clinics and the Chicago Care Van, visit www.CityofChicago.org/HEALTH.

Chicago Care Van Tour Schedule

*Schedule is subject to change. Follow CDPH on Twitter @ChiPublicHealth for updates.

Thursday, August 8

West Lawn Park, 4233 West 65th St, Chicago, IL 60629, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sunday, August 11

Warren Park, 6601 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60645, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Monday, August 12

Zakat Foundation, 1759 East 75th Street, Chicago, IL 60649, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tuesday, August 13

10th Police District, 3315 West Ogden Avenue, Chicago, IL 60623, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wednesday, August 14

Avondale/Logandale School, 3212 West George, Chicago, IL 60618, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Thursday, August 15

Allison Infant/Toddler, 440 East 71st Street, Chicago, IL 60619, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Friday, August 16

Jefferson Park, 4822 North Long, Chicago, IL 60630, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.