Cook County survey seeks input on public health vending machine

Josh Hinke | August 10, 2026

Cook County Public Health and Human Services is seeking public input on its public health vending machine initiative.

In a survey, the department is asking residents for feedback on what items should be stocked in the machine, where it should be located and their level of support for the initiative.

Public health vending machines have become more common since the COVID-19 pandemic. The machines can provide access to health care supplies such as Narcan and fentanyl test strips. Cook County Public Health and Human Services already provides these items to the public for free, but access is limited by building hours and the need to visit offices where the supplies are kept. A public health vending machine would provide 24-hour access to the supplies.

“Across the state and nation, they are really becoming more common to reduce the barriers to access, reduce stigma, provide resources to people when they need it,” Public Health Educator Andrea Orest told WTIP.

The University of Minnesota purchased the machine with funding from the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program grant, which the county participated in. The university contacted Cook County, offering to purchase the vending machine for the county, which the county accepted.

Supplies for the machine will be paid for through opioid settlement funds. In 2024, Cook County commissioners approved $50,000 from the funds to support prevention, treatment and recovery efforts in the community.

In the survey, Cook County is also seeking input on other items that could be stocked in the machine. Seasonal items, such as sunscreen, hand warmers and wool hats, could also be included.

“When it is up and running, all of the supplies will be free of cost to the users,” Orest said.

Orest attended the Aug. 5 Grand Marais City Council meeting to inform councilors about the project and answer questions. If the county seeks to place the machine on city-owned property, Orest said she would return to the council to request permission.

Cook County residents can provide feedback on the proposed public health vending machine by scanning the QR code below.