FOR THOSE GOING THROUGH THE COVID-19 VACCINATION PROCESS OR WHO ARE ABOUT TO...THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH HAS SOME REMINDERS.

YOU WON'T REACH MAXIMUM PROTECTION AGAINST THE CORONAVIRUS UNTIL 10 TO 14 DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE THE SECOND DOSE OF THE VACCINE SAYS STATE PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR DOCTOR NGOZI (en-gahzi) EZIKE (eh-zee-kay). BUT SHE SAYS THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU DON'T STILL NEED TO BE CAREFUL.

DOCTOR EZIKE ADDS EVEN THEN, SAFETY PRECAUTIONS STILL NEED TO BE TAKEN.

EZIKE SAYS THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE COVID VACCINE IS ABOUT 95 PERCENT EFFECTIVE...A FAR GREATER PERCENTAGE THAN THE ANNUAL FLU SHOT WHICH IS AROUND 40 TO 50 PERCENT EFFECTIVE.