Doing our part to save lives: mobile vaccination clinics at the Y

The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago has begun its weeklong campaign to increase COVID-19 vaccine access throughout Chicagoland by hosting FREE mobile vaccination clinics in partnership with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).

Yesterday, the Buehler YMCA, Sage YMCA, and Rauner YMCA kicked off this effort with their respective clinics, serving the greater Palatine, Crystal Lake, and Little Village communities.

Olive, who received her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the Buehler YMCA, was “absolutely thrilled” to participate in her center’s mobile vaccine clinic.

“The doctors were informative, and I was so pleased with the personal and kind staff that helped with this process,” she said. “Not having to wait in long lines made getting vaccinated a wonderful experience overall.”

Frank, Olive’s spouse, also participated in the Buehler YMCA’s mobile vaccination clinic. He described his visit in three words: “quick, easy, and painless.”

From now through next Wednesday, October 6, we’ll continue to offer these clinics across several of our locations throughout the city and suburbs, ensuring a “quick, easy, and painless” way for anyone eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

At each mobile vaccination clinic, doses of either the Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be administered free of charge by IDPH. Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are also welcome! Photo ID is NOT required to participate, and follow-up vaccination clinics for second doses will be scheduled at each location.

As a community asset, the YMCA of Metro Chicago is committed to encouraging our neighbors to get vaccinated and help save lives. To thank those who’ve done their part to protect themselves and others from COVID-19, we’re also running a special $0 joiner offer for any new member who shows proof of vaccination at our membership desks—including those who receive the vaccine at our mobile clinics.

“We recognize that health disparities exist in the U.S.,” said Dorri McWhorter, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. “And hosting the IDPH mobile vaccination clinics at our centers is our way of ensuring that everyone who wants to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19 has access to the vaccines.”

Check out the map on our website to find out when your local Y is hosting a mobile vaccination clinic, and be sure to share this information with anyone in the community who could benefit!