AstraZeneca to seek US approval of COVID-19 vaccine in 2nd half of 2021

AstraZeneca said it will seek U.S. authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine in the second half of 2021, a timeframe that has been delayed.

Mom urges vaccination after loss of ‘healthy’ 28-year-old son to COVID-19

After losing her son to COVID-19, Christy Carpenter and her family are encouraging hesitant people to get the vaccine — if not for themselves, then for the people around them.

2 US Navy members have died from COVID-19 in past week

Navy officials declined to say whether either of the two members who died over the past week from COVID-19 had been vaccinated

Breakthrough COVID cases: 169 fully vaccinated dead, 644 hospitalized in Illinois

More than 100 fully vaccinated people have died and 644 fully vaccinated people have been hospitalized due to COVID-19 in breakthrough cases, Illinois health officials said. 

Delta variant viral load 1,000 times higher than original coronavirus strain

A recent study sheds light on why the delta variant is so much more contagious than the original novel coronavirus strain, which first infected much of the global population last year.

Illinois adopts new CDC guidelines: Vaccinated should mask indoors, as should K-12 schools

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) adopted new CDC mask guidelines on Tuesday for people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, citing new information about the ability of the delta variant to spread by those who have been vaccinated.

COVID-19 delta variant surge: How to tell if you’re in high-risk area

As the delta variant of COVID-19 continues to surge in the U.S., the CDC is now saying vaccinated people should wear masks again indoors in areas with high or substantial community transmission. Here’s how to find out which areas are considered high-risk.

DOJ: Federal law doesn’t prohibit COVID-19 vaccine mandates

An opinion posted on Monday by Justice Department lawyers states that federal law does not prohibit public agencies and private businesses from mandating COVID-19 vaccines under emergency use authorization.

Gary school district holds back-to-school registration fair

A back-to-school registration fair starts at the West Side Leadership Academy for parents to sign up their kids up, get haircuts, enjoy free music and uniform giveaways.

Lightfoot on return of mask mandates: 'everything's on the table'

Chicago Mayor Lightfoot continues to implore more people to get vaccinated. "We'll bring it to your house. We'll come to your place of business. Whatever it takes, we want people to get vaccinated," she said.

Aurora takes to the streets to provide residents with vaccines

As the pace of vaccinations continues to slow, communities and health organizations are coming up with creative ways to put more shots in more arms.