Honoring LF/LB Vaccine Buddies
When COVID-19 vaccines became available in late 2020, the vaccine supply was limited and appointments were difficult to access. Eligible populations of senior citizens and those with high-risk medical conditions struggled to navigate the process.
Two local Lake Foresters, Marybeth O’Shea and Nicole Phelan, stepped up to organize a community-wide effort to understand the vaccine registration process, enlist volunteers, and partner with senior advocacy groups to connect our residents in need to schedule life-saving vaccine appointments.
Collectively known as the LF/LB Vaccine Buddies, the volunteers fielded thousands of requests for help, spent hours upon hours scheduling appointments, coordinating with family members, providing transportation to vaccination sites, and connecting with local vaccination providers to get as many people vaccinated as possible. Over 100 volunteers contributed to the campaign and generously shared their time to help support the effort.
As a result of the LF/LB Vaccine Buddies' hard work, over 1,700 residents - including more than 550 senior citizens - from Lake Forest and Lake Bluff were able to access the COVID-19 vaccine and get vaccinated.
The City Council of the City of Lake Forest expresses its deepest appreciation to the LF/LB Vaccine Buddies Program for their outstanding achievements during the COVID-19 crisis.
The COVID-19 vaccines are now widely available to anyone age 12 and older. Find a COVID-19 vaccination through Lake County, Walgreens, and Jewel-Osco. Appointments are typically available on the same day. Visit the CDC pages Key Things to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines and Getting Your COVID-19 Vaccine for more information.