coronavirus illinois

Illinois Coronavirus Updates: COVID Vaccine Boosters, City Officials Give Update

Here's what you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic across Illinois today

Chicago's top officials, including the mayor and top doctor, are set to deliver an update on COVID vaccine boosters in the city following the long Labor Day weekend.

The update comes as pharmacies across the Chicago area have already started administering the new shot and offering up appointments to get it.

Here's what you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic across Illinois today:

WATCH LIVE: Chicago's Mayor, Top Doc Give COVID Booster Shot Update

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady, alongside other city leaders, are scheduled to provide an update on the COVID-19 vaccine Tuesday.

The announcement is set for 10:30 a.m.

Watch live in the player above.

New COVID Boosters Are Now Available in the Chicago Area. Here's Who Experts Say Should Get the Shot

The long-awaited COVID booster shots made to target the highly contagious BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants have arrived at pharmacies in the Chicago area, with more doses on the way headed to doctors offices and health clinics across Chicago and Illinois.

According to a Friday announcement from the Illinois Department of Public Health, the state expects to receive 580,000 doses of the new booster. And that's in addition to the 150,000 doses Chicago is primed to receive, IDPH said.

Here's who is eligible to get them.

Where You Can Find New COVID Booster Shots From Moderna, Pfizer in Chicago Area

Chicago-area pharmacies are among the first offering up doses of the new "bivalent" COVID booster shots, with more availability expected to open up this week.

CVS announced Friday, one day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued its recommendation for the new vaccine, that some locations were already offering up doses of both Moderna and Pfizer's revamped booster shots. Appointments were already opened up and several continue to be available for this week.

Walgreens locations are also now booking appointments for the newly approved COVID booster shots that specifically target the highly contagious BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants, the pharmacy said in a release Friday.

Here's how to sign up.

What Is Paxlovid Mouth and Why Do Some Get It? Chicago's Top Doc Explains

Paxlovid has been in headlines recently as the anti-viral COVID treatment has been used in some high-profile cases, including President Joe Biden, and while the drug has been associated with rare cases of what's known as "COVID rebound," some who received it have also noted another unusual side effect being referred to as "Paxlovid mouth."

According to Rush University Medical Center, "Paxlovid mouth" is often used to refer to a metallic or bitter taste in the mouth shortly after taking the drug.

Here's what we know.

Chicago's Top Doctor Reveals Which COVID Symptoms She Experienced

Chicago's top doctor became the latest high-profile COVID case to hit the Chicago area last week and on Tuesday she described what her experience was like.

Having contracted the virus for the first time last week, Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said she believed she got sick during a family vacation.

Upon her return, she immediately began testing - and then last Tuesday, the symptoms began.

Read more here.

What's Behind That Sore Throat? How to Know if It's COVID, Allergies, Strep or More

Have a sore throat but aren't sure what's causing it?

There are several possibilities that could be behind the symptom, with things like COVID, allergies and strep throat all leading to similar symptoms.

Currently, allergy season is peaking in the Chicago area, bringing a rash of cold-like symptoms, with the peak expected to continue until the end of September for those particularly sensitive to ragweed.

Read more here.

What Makes New COVID Boosters Different From Previous Shots? Experts Explain

The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday authorized new COVID booster shots known as a "bivalent" vaccines, what does that mean and how exactly are they different from previous COVID vaccines administered earlier in the pandemic?

Until now, COVID-19 vaccines have targeted the original coronavirus strain, even as wildly different mutants emerged. The new U.S. boosters are combination, or “bivalent,” shots. They contain half that original vaccine recipe and half protection against the newest omicron versions, called BA.4 and BA.5, that are considered the most contagious yet.

Read more here.

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