Medical, Health and Condition-Specific Information Resources
Tips for Teens on Talking With Your Parents or Guardians About Vaccines
Talking with family members about vaccines and healthcare choices can be stressful and scary, especially for teens. The Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (ICAAP) has created a “Tips for Teens – Talking with Your Parents or Guardians About Vaccines” handout in English and Spanish to help teens navigate those tricky conversations.
Tips on Face Masking for Children During COVID-19
The Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics developed this infographic based on information for children and parents on masking. Governor Pritzker announced that Illinois residents will be required to wear masks/face coverings in public spaces beginning May 1, 2020. This infographic answers questions for patients and families on children wearing masks during the pandemic.
Tools for Supporting Emotional Wellbeing in Children and Youth
Dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic has left many children and youth vulnerable to feeling stressed, anxious or depressed. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine website features information and tools for teaching skills that can help children and youth cope with some of the challenges associated with the pandemic such as:
- Changes in their routines
- Breaks in continuity of learning or health care
- Missed significant life events
- Lost security and safety
Individuals can explore the site’s tools focused on children or teens, learn more about the cognitive behavioral therapy practices that went into them, and find additional mental health and wellness resources. These resources are also available in Spanish.
Travel Considerations for People with Down Syndrome [COVID-19]
Information from Advocate Medical Group Adult Down Syndrome Center
Unproven COVID-19 Products, Supplements and Medicines
If you see a treatment or cure for influenza or COVID-19 that looks too good to be true, it probably is.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns families about fake or unapproved products that claim to protect people from catching influenza, COVID-19 or other viruses.
HealthyChildren.org, the parenting website of the American Academy of Pediatrics, provides these tips to help families stay safe from unsafe COVID-19 tests, medications and products.
V-Safe After Vaccination Health Checker
As more Illinois residents become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, the Illinois Department of Public Health is encouraging those who receive a COVID-19 vaccination to use the V-safe After Vaccination Health Checker.
V-safe is a smartphone-based tool from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after you receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Through v-safe, you can quickly tell CDC if you have any side effects after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Depending on your answers, someone from CDC may call to check on you and get more information. V-safe will also remind you to get your second COVID-19 vaccine dose if you need one.
Vaccine Appointment Call Center
The Illinois Department of Public Health has launched the Vaccine Appointment Call Center to help people who do not have access to or who have difficulty navigating online services in making appointments to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
The toll-free Vaccine Appointment Call Center phone number is (833) 621-1284 and can take TTY calls.
The call center is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to midnight. The call center has English and Spanish-speaking call agents with the availability for translation into other languages.
Call agents will help individuals who do have access to online services navigate the various registration sites. However, if the individual does not have access to online services or is unable to navigate the site, the agent will make an appointment on their behalf.
Vaccine Considerations for People with Disabilities
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides this information on what people with disabilities and their care providers need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Illinois Department of Public Health Vax Verify portal (also known as the Illinois Resident Immunization portal) provides access to your official immunization records.
You must be 18 years old or older to create a Vax Verify account or have legal guardianship of a minor to add them to your account.
Violence Prevention and Support Resources
The Illinois Department of Public Health put together this list of violence prevention and support resources.
Topics covered include mental health and crisis support, violence prevention and intervention support, and report of child abuse or abuse of an older adult or adult with a disability.