CHICAGO - The City of Chicago is launching its 2026 Fall Immunization Campaign, a comprehensive citywide initiative to ensure residents have free access to essential flu and COVID-19 vaccinations throughout the respiratory virus season. This effort continues Chicago's commitment to protecting families, reducing illness, and strengthening community health as colder months approach.

The campaign begins on Saturday, October 3 with a kickoff vaccination clinic at Kennedy-King College, located at 6301 S. Halsted St., operating from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event marks the start of a series of Saturday clinics at accessible community college locations across Chicago, ensuring residents in every neighborhood can receive timely immunizations at no cost.

Free flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinics will be held on the following dates and locations, all operating from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.:

• Saturday, October 3: Kennedy-King College, 6301 S. Halsted St.
• Saturday, October 10: Olive Harvey College, 10001 S. Woodlawn Ave.
• Saturday, October 24: Arturo Velasquez College, 2800 S. Western Ave.
• Saturday, November 7: Wilbur Wright College, 4300 N. Narragansett Ave.
• Saturday, November 14: Harry S. Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson Ave.
• Saturday, November 21: Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Jackson Blvd.
• Saturday, December 5: Richard J. Daley College, 7500 S. Pulaski Rd.
• Saturday, December 12: Kennedy-King College, 6301 S. Halsted St.
• Saturday, December 19: Harry S. Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson Ave.

Seasonal flu vaccination is recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older, with ideal vaccination occurring in September or October, however, receiving the flu shot later in the season still provides significant protection. Adults aged 65 and older are encouraged to receive high-dose, recombinant, adjuvanted, or mRNA flu vaccines to maximize protection.

CDPH recommends an updated annual COVID-19 vaccine for all adults ages 18 and older. Updated annual COVID-19 vaccination is also recommended for all children ages 6-23 months and children 2-18 years in certain risk groups or if a parent or guardian desires. Pregnant individuals are advised to receive COVID-19 vaccination during any trimester, after delivery, or during breast feeding.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccination guidance for the 2026-2027 season follows recommendations issued by the Illinois Department of Public Health. CDPH endorsed the evidence-based consolidated respiratory virus immunization recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Chicago residents are encouraged to visit any of the citywide clinic locations between October 3 and December 19 to receive their no-cost flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. CDPH also provides no-cost flu and COVID-19 vaccines for Chicagoans at CDPH Immunization Walk-In clinics and a variety of other community vaccination events this fall and winter. Further information can be found on the CDPH immunizations calendar. By staying up to date with seasonal immunizations, community members help protect themselves, their families, and the broader Chicago community from respiratory viruses.

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