City health officials continue to urge Chicagoans, especially persons who are HIV-positive as well as gay and bisexual men and transgender women who have anonymous sex or use hook-up apps, to be vaccinated against meningococcal disease after a fifth area residentthis one residing in suburban DuPage Countywas diagnosed with the disease.
Chicago Department of Public Health confirmed the new case June 11, said Dr. Stephanie Black, medical director for the communicable disease program.
Black said that CDPH continues to receive new shipments of vaccine, adding "We're getting it in from the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]. We just want to get it out to as many people as possible."
About 3,500 doses of the vaccine have been distributed so far, although Black said figures had not yet been compiled about how many doses have been administered. Those numbers are expected next week.
Because of privacy issues, CDPH has not been able to say which parts of the city have been most impacted, though they say the African American community has been most adversely affected.
"But we want everyone in the city to be aware of this," Black said.
Meningococcal disease can lead to meningitis or severe bloodstream infections, Black added, noting that symptoms often did not appear to until the infection had significantly advanced. It is most often transmitted through saliva and intimate contact.
Vaccinations are available in numerous locations, and can be found by going to bit.ly/1Jr8C9M or phoning 311.
CDPH will be administering vaccinations on June 13 at two locations: Midsommarfest, at Brown Elephant Resale Shop, 5404 N. Clark Street, from 12-4 p.m. as well as at Jackson Park, at the corner of 63rd and Hayes, from 2-5 p.m.