Illinois plans to expand the list of people eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations in Phase 1B of its launch beginning Feb. 25.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said Wednesday that the state expects to add people with “a high-risk medical condition” or comorbidity. The list includes people with cancer, diabetes, obesity, pregnant women and those with a few other conditions.
“Given the steady growth in the federal supply of vaccines, Illinois is making plans to extend Phase 1B eligibility on Feb. 25 to people with comorbidities and underlying conditions as defined by the CDC,” the governor’s office said in a statement. . In addition, Illinois will give priority to people with disabilities.
The list of eligible high-risk medical conditions (subject to change) includes:
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Diabetes
- Heart condition
- Immunocompromised condition from a solid organ transplant
- Obesity
- Task
- Lung disease
- Sickle cell disease
“Those under the age of 65 who live with comorbidities, such as cancer survivors or those suffering from heart disease, have an increased risk of serious complications or death if they contract COVID-19,” Pritzker said in a statement. . “Illinois is moving forward in line with CDC guidance to expand our eligible population as the supply allows, bringing us closer to the point where the vaccine is widely available to anyone who wants it. In the meantime, I encourage all Illinois wear our masks and watch for attenuation so that many of our neighbors are healthy and alive when it’s their turn in the vaccination line. ”
The extension applies to those aged 16 and over who were not otherwise covered in previous eligibility categories, the state said, adding that it intends to work with local health departments and other providers as eligibility increases.
For a full look at where you can make an appointment in Illinois or where you can get information about vaccines for your area, click here.
According to medical experts in Illinois and the United States, pregnant women were excluded from vaccine studies, so there was little information on vaccine safety for this group.
Earlier this month, White House Health Adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci said “no red flags” were seen on the more than 10,000 pregnant women who had received vaccines so far.
The guide published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that if a woman is in a group recommended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and is pregnant, she can choose to be vaccinated. A discussion with her healthcare provider can help her make an informed decision, the agency said.
Already, more than 3.2 million people in Illinois are eligible for Phase 1B vaccinations, which include people aged 65 and over, as well as “essential frontline workers.”
Here’s a look at who is already included, in addition to health workers and long-term care workers who were eligible in Phase 1A:
- Residents over the age of 65
- Essential front-line workers, meaning “residents at higher risk of COVID-19 exposure due to their workloads, often because they cannot work from home and / or have to work closely with others without being able to distance themselves social. This includes:
- First respondents: Fires, law enforcement, 911 workers, security personnel, school officers
- Education: Teachers, principals, student assistance, student aid, day caregiver
- Food and agriculture: Processing, plants, veterinary health, animal husbandry services, animal care
- Manufacturing: Industrial production of goods for distribution to retail, wholesale or other products
- Fair workers and detainees: Prison officers, juvenile facility staff, personal support workers, detainees
- USPS workers
- Public transport workers: Flight crew, bus drivers, train conductors, taxi drivers, para-transit drivers, personal assistance, travel sharing services
- Grocery store workers: Baggers, cashiers, stocks, pick-ups, customer service
- Shelters and day care staff: Shelter without shelter, shelter for women, adult / abandonment program, sheltered workshop, psychosocial rehabilitation