Even though it’s not mandatory, parents in the Southside Independent School District are choosing to have their children vaccinated against COVID-19 at Metro Health pop-up clinics.

After more than 226,000 shots, the city is shuttering its mass vaccination site at the Alamodome amid declining demand.

Hayley Orlinsky poses for a portrait Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020, with several colorful rubber band bracelets she makes in her Chicago home. The spunky 7-year-old from Chicago has spent most of the coronavirus pandemic crafting the creations as a fundraiser to buy personal protective equipment for a children's hospital. So far, the endeavor has generated nearly $20,000 for Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, prompting praise and purchases from Chicago politicians, a Broadway actor and her beloved White Sox. It all started when she heard news stories about PPE shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic and was inspired to help. She's done holiday themed-bracelets, sports teams colors and red and light blue bracelets to represent the Chicago flag.