Orland Township Strike Force ready to oversee COVID-19 vaccine

Team on board and ready to administer COVID-19 vaccine

Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady announced at the Township’s December Board meeting that the Township has a plan in place to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to residents, if called upon to do so by state and local health officials.

Supervisor O’Grady has met, virtually, with several state and local officials, community stakeholders and medical personnel regarding the eventual administration of the vaccine.

“Orland Township has a strong network of nurses, nursing students, community medical professionals and volunteers already experienced in working together to administer vaccines to residents,” said Supervisor O’Grady.

“This Strike Force is ready to spring into action when called upon by the Illinois and/or Cook County departments of public health to vaccinate our residents against COVID-19 in a safe and orderly manner.”

The Township is registered in the Illinois Department of Public Health’s (IDPH), Illinois Comprehensive Automated immunization Registry Exchange (ICARE) program where it has been tracking vaccine inventory, usage, and storage temperatures since 2013. Orland Township is in good standing with IDPH and has been registered in the ICARE system as a COVID-19 vaccine provider since October, when IDPH first contacted the Health Services department regarding the possibility of administering the vaccine.

Orland Township Health Services conducts monthly immunization clinics throughout the year and also holds numerous flu shot clinics, including the Township’s popular drive-thru flu shot clinic, in the fall.

“Orland Township’s annual flu shot program has a huge impact on the health of the community and demonstrates the Township’s commitment to the health and well-being of its residents,” said Maureen Waller, MSN, RN, an Orland Township resident and Professor of Nursing at the College of DuPage. “College of DuPage nursing students have participated in the Township’s flu shot program for several years and I have seen, firsthand, the safe, friendly and organized setting residents experience at Township clinics. Those same protocols will give residents confidence that Orland Township is a safe and trustworthy location to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.”

In addition to the College of DuPage, Lewis University’s nursing program and St. Xavier University’s Health Center have all agreed to participate in the Township’s efforts to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to residents.

Orland Township also has a staff of eleven nurses who administer vaccines at the Township’s monthly immunization clinics. The Township nurses are ready to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to residents.

“It’s a moment of optimism that we’ve been waiting for,” said Cindy LaPrairie, Township nurse and recently retired Andrew High School nurse. “It’s important for everyone’s health and safety to get this vaccine out to as many people as we can, as quickly as we can. As Orland Township nurses, we are proud to be a part of this effort.”

Orland Township also has strong and productive relationships with local officials, including mayors, school superintendents and first responders, many of whom have expressed interest in being a part of the Township’s Strike Force.

Orland Township’s Health Services department has already received inquiries from residents regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. Many have asked to register or be put on a waiting list to be notified when the vaccine becomes available through the Township.

“The community will expect a united, coordinated and organized effort when it comes to the distribution and administration of the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Supervisor O’Grady. “Orland Township is committed to ensuring our residents receive the level of service they have come to expect, and deserve, from the Township.”

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Ray Hanania

Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.

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