Category: COVID-19

January 19, 2023

Has Your Young Child Been Vaccinated Against COVID?

By Margaret Herbst If you have children under age 5, the odds are great that you are holding off on getting them a COVID-19 vaccination. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in June approved COVID vaccines for children ages 6 months to 4 years, about 15.2 million in this age group have […]

December 14, 2022

Why Boost?

We are continuing our series with members of the NCH Community who want others to know their reason for getting their COVID-19 vaccine booster. Name: Stacey Bretz, BS, MT (ASCP) Title: Supervisor Department: Blood Bank and Immunology Labs Current hometown: Mount Prospect Why I got boosted: There are several reasons why I have chosen to […]

November 11, 2022

Why Boost?

We are continuing our series with members of the NCH Community who want others to know their reason for getting their COVID-19 vaccine booster. Name: James Petrusek Title: Operating Engineer Department: Plant Operations Current hometown: Arlington Heights Why I got boosted: I never hesitated to receive my booster because, to me, the potential benefits of […]

October 10, 2022

Why Boost?

We are continuing our series with members of the NCH Community who want others to know their reason for getting their COVID-19 vaccine booster. Name: Sharon Shapiro Title: Radiologic Technologist Department: Administrative ICC Current hometown: Wheeling Why I got boosted: I got my Bivalent booster vaccine to protect not only myself, but my family and […]

September 15, 2022

Bivalent “Omicron” Booster

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has approved and is recommending new bivalent (“Omicron”) boosters for individuals ages 12 and up. Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine after you recover from COVID-19 infection provides added protection and prevention against COVID-19 illness. People who are moderately or severely immuno-compromised have different recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters. COVID-19 […]

September 14, 2022

Why Boost?

We are continuing our series with members of the NCH Community who want others to know their reason for getting their COVID-19 vaccine booster. Name: John Kurzatkowski Title: Physician Recruiting Manager Department: NCH Medical Group Current hometown: Palatine Why I got boosted: I am a husband and father of three beautiful, young girls. My parents are both cancer survivors. […]

August 10, 2022

Why Boost?

We are continuing our series with members of the NCH Community who want others to know their reason for getting their COVID-19 vaccine booster. Name: Abby Eriksen Title: Administrative Assistant to Holly Badal Department: ICC Administration Current hometown: Chicago Why I got boosted: I got boosted to protect my family, loved ones and colleagues while also hoping to […]

July 20, 2022

Why Boost?

We are continuing our series with members of the NCH Community who want others to know their reason for getting their COVID-19 vaccine booster. Name: Bob EcklTitle: Clinical (Epic Ambulatory) Applications ManagerDepartment: Information TechnologyCurrent hometown: Mount ProspectWhy I got boosted: I received the Moderna booster in November 2021. At that time the Delta variant was […]

June 13, 2022

Why boost?

We are continuing our series with members of the NCH Community who want others to know their reason for getting their COVID-19 vaccine booster. Name: Michelle MartinezTitle: Executive AssistantDepartment: AdministrationCurrent hometown: AddisonWhy I got boosted: There was no doubt in my mind about getting the booster shot. I want to protect myself from severe illness […]

May 18, 2022

COVID-19 Update

If you have been following COVID numbers in the local media, you will have noticed a steady increase in hospitalizations within the last few weeks. Thank you for continuing to protect your community by remaining conscientious in your use of masks, hand washing and maintaining social distance. Visitor Policy Effective May 9, NCH is at […]

May 17, 2022

Why boost?

We are continuing our series with members of the NCH Community who want others to know their reason for getting their COVID-19 vaccine booster. Name: Craig Cooksey Title: Fleet and Ground CoordinatorDepartment: FacilitiesCurrent hometown: Algonquin Why I got boosted:I chose to get boosted as a way to provide an extra level of safety for my […]

April 12, 2022

Who Should “Boost” Again?

The CDC provided guidance recommending those age 50 and older, and those 12 and older who are immunocompromised receive a second COVID-19 mRNA booster (Moderna or Pfizer) if 4 months has elapsed since their first booster. We know that immunity wanes over time, and that booster shots dramatically improve your body’s immune response to Omicron, […]

March 17, 2022

Why boost?

We are continuing our series with members of the NCH Community who want others to know their reason for getting their COVID-19 vaccine booster. Name: Jerry Bragg, M.S., CCC-SLP, MBATitle: DirectorDepartment: Physical Medicine and RehabilitationCurrent hometown: Chicago Why I got boosted: If there is any silver lining to the pandemic for me personally, I would […]

March 16, 2022

Vaccine Clinic closes but doses still available

On March 4, the NCH COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic officially closed its doors. However, anyone can still get a booster or even their first vaccine. Click here for times and locations where they are available. While cautiously optimistic that the closing is permanent, the team is prepared for anything that may come based on the ups […]

February 16, 2022

We’re here to help

While we are thrilled to see the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients fighting Omicron has gradually decreased in the last couple of weeks, we urge you to not let your guard down. Especially concerning are those who are unvaccinated or have comorbidities and weakened immune systems. Vaccine Booster ReminderWe encourage all eligible people to get […]

February 14, 2022

Why boost?

We are continuing our series with members of the NCH Community who want others to know their reason for getting their COVID-19 vaccine booster. Name: Alice BrownTitle: Internal Communications, Recognition and Engagement ManagerDepartment: Human ResourcesCurrent hometown: Arlington HeightsWhy I got boosted: I’ve worked at NCH for almost eight years, and I have the honor and […]

January 19, 2022

COVID-19 Update

Two years into what history is sure to label the “COVID” years, the virus continues to impact all of our lives. The good news is that the most recent Omicron-variant surge, which has triggered a massive new wave of illness, hospitalizations and healthcare staff shortages, may be waning in regions where it got an early […]

January 18, 2022

Why boost?

According to the CDC, data from clinical trials showed that a booster shot increased the immune response in trial participants who finished a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna primary series 6 months earlier or who received a J&J/Janssen single-dose vaccine 2 months earlier. With an increased immune response, people should have improved protection against getting infected with […]

December 13, 2021

A word on COVID-19

Tom Oryszczak, D.O.Executive Vice President & Chief Medical Officer I would like to take this opportunity to send out this special reminder of the importance of what our entire staff is doing to fulfill our mission. You should know we are dealing with a significant increase in patient volumes, which includes rising rates of COVID […]

December 7, 2021

Why I vaccinate

Are you still on the fence about getting vaccinated? Unfortunately, this pandemic is not over and unvaccinated hospitalizations continue to rise. But it’s not too late to protect yourself and your loved ones. In fact, it’s so easy!Vaccines are available for free at the five NCH Immediate Care Centers. The Mount Prospect ICC requires an […]

November 15, 2021

NCH provides vaccines for kids aged 5-11

Many parents and grandparents across the nation have been eagerly waiting for the approval of the Pfizer vaccine youngsters ages 5 to 11. Retiring NCH Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President Alan Loren, M.D., PhD, is one of them. “My grandson Mason and granddaughter Joanna, just became eligible for the vaccine, and I’ve never […]

November 10, 2021

Why I vaccinate

NCH employees are passionate about keeping their patients, colleagues and loved ones healthy and safe, and want to share their reason for getting their COVID-19 vaccine! Moises is the Operations Manager of NCH’s Immediate Care Centers (ICCs) so the vaccines have been one of his top priorities since they became available. At the NCH Vaccine […]

October 11, 2021

Why I vaccinate

NCH employees are passionate about the health of their loved ones and their community. We’ve asked them to share their personal reason for getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Paula experienced COVID-19 up close and personal, when her husband was off work for eight weeks while he fought the virus at home. She fully supports the vaccination […]

October 6, 2021

Vaccine and Booster Update

NCH is currently vaccinating patients ages 12 and older and providing Pfizer boosters to those eligible.

September 13, 2021

Why I vaccinate

NCH employees are passionate about health and want to share their reason for getting their COVID-19 vaccine! Abe has been a part of the vaccination planning team since the beginning, helping hire and assign team members to greet, register, administer vaccines, monitor patients and more in our Immediate Care Centers and in the NCH Vaccine […]

August 16, 2021

Delta variant questions answered

The delta variant of COVID-19 is a new concern for our community. NCH is a reliable source of scientific information to help keep you and your family safe. Our thanks to Guy Kochvar, M.D., and Anooj Shah, PharmD, M.B.A., for answering our questions. NCH is vaccinating ages 12 and older at our Immediate Care Center […]

August 13, 2021

Why I Vaccinate

NCH employees are passionate about health and want to share their reason for getting their COVID-19 vaccine! Mary is an employed mother of six with a puppy! If she can make time to take care of herself, can’t you? If you have already been vaccinated, whether at NCH or another healthcare provider, we thank you! […]

July 13, 2021

Why I vaccinate: T.J. Tunis

Continuing our series with members of the NCH Community who want others to know their reason for getting their COVID-19 vaccine, meet T.J. If you have already been vaccinated, whether at NCH or another healthcare provider, we thank you! If you are still considering your decision, please know that vaccines are available for free at […]

July 12, 2021

The fight continues

Although our country as a whole did not reach President Biden’s goal of 70 percent of adults receiving at least one COVID vaccine dose by Independence Day, we have significantly moved the needle in Chicagoland. Northwest Community Healthcare (NCH) is proud to announce that we have delivered nearly 50,000 vaccines since the process began in […]

June 15, 2021

Why I vaccinate: Rose Jensen

NCH has vaccinated thousands of people at our Vaccine Clinic on Salt Creek Lane in Arlington Heights and we also provide vaccines at our Intermediate Care Centers throughout the area. NCH Occupational Health team has partnered with our Community Health Nurses and taken vaccines to large employers in the region to meet people where they […]