The Cook County Department of Public Health is offering free rides to suburban COVID-19 clinics.

       The initiative is aimed at helping residents with “limited mobility or transportation issues to easily get vaccinated, removing a key barrier for many residents,” officials said in a Monday news release.

       “Transportation is a critical barrier for those in traditionally underserved communities,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said.

       Residents from suburban Cook County and Chicago who need a ride to a vaccination location can call 833-308-1988. Officials said transportation is available to any of the county’s vaccine sites, both public and private, including hospitals, health clinics, schools and retail stores.

       The program, a partnership with Kaizen Health and community-based organizations, can accommodate most residents, including those in wheelchairs or who require child seats, officials said.

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       While advanced scheduling is preferred, residents can expect a vehicle to arrive in about a half-hour to an hour, officials said.

       Dr. Kiran Joshi, senior medical officer and co-lead of the county health department, said Monday officials “continue to see low vaccine uptake in several communities and are aggressively employing tactics to educate people, to answer questions, to combat misinformation and to remove barriers to care throughout Cook County.”

       For information about vaccines and other upcoming vaccination events, visit cookcountypublichealth.org or myshotcookcounty.com

       City residents can receive free vaccines in their homes by calling 312-746-4835.

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