COVID / Flu Season Virtual Media Briefing

CDPH's Dr. Olusimbo Ige and Dr. Geraldine Luna will host a virtual briefing for Chicago media to answer questions regarding this season's COVID and Flu vaccines on Friday, October 11, 10am - 11am.

Heading into the fall 2024 respiratory virus season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends flu and COVID-19 vaccination for ages 6 months and older, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunization for certain groups. As long as it has been two months since your last COVID-19 vaccine, it is recommended to get the new updated vaccine right away. The updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines provide the best protection from currently circulating COVID-19 variant strains.

Registration for this virtual Zoom session is live now. For a full list of all CDPH vaccination clinics this season, visit Chicago.gov/CovidVax.

National Breastfeeding Tour Comes To Chicago

In partnership with digital health company Pumpspotting, which builds community-centered solutions for moms, CDPH and Women Infants and Children (WIC), will host an event on Friday, October 11th from 8am - 11am focused on highlighting and sharing postpartum resources, and increasing knowledge and strengthening community for Chicagoans at the WIC Clinic at 4150 W. 55th Street.

Barb, the Breast Express national bus tour is an event designed to provide support and empowerment for baby-feeding families to learn about maternal health and baby-feeding; speak with lactation, mental health and wellness experts; learn about postpartum products; connect with other moms, parents and community leaders; and access family and postpartum support in Chicago.

WIC is a federally funded program that provides pregnant, breastfeeding, postpartum women, children, and infants with nutrition assistance. Learn more about WIC on the CDPH website, and learn more about the bus tour on the Pumpspotting website .

Final PlayStreets Event of 2024

PlayStreets is a CDPH initiative focusing on a holistic approach to improving the physical and mental health of youth and families, including building the social capital for community safety. Playstreets closes specific neighborhood streets to traffic for three or more hours to transform the community into safe, supervised play areas for families to stay active and healthy.

On Saturday, October 12th, CDPH will host its final Playstreets event for the season in Pilsen at 1900 West 19th Street, from 2-6pm. Hosted by New Life Center, kids are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes. PlayStreets events usually feature various sports activities, games, bounce houses, dancing, fitness classes, healthy snacks, and more. This summer, over 30,000 kids and their parents across Chicago participated in Playstreets events.

Healthy Chicago Podcast

October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month and Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month. The guests on this episode talk about the steps you can take to keep you and your newborn safe and healthy at home, especially during sleep.

Latonya Smith, Public Health Nurse at CDPH, shares how Family Connects Chicago provides vital postpartum care to moms and their babies, supporting maternal and infant health. Tayo Mbande is the co-owner of Chicago Birthworks Collective (chicagobirthworks.com), a maternal wellness company that provides doula care, education, and overall support for families following childbirth. This is also the first time a baby has been a guest on Healthy Chicago Podcast!

Visit Chicago Birthworks Collective, and learn more about free, in-home nurse visits and support for new families at the Family Connects Chicago website.

Tune in to the newest episode of Healthy Chicago on the CDPH website and all major platforms:

Spotify | Apple | YouTube

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