Note: An earlier version of this story stated that five counties were allowed to extend eligibility. Since then, the state has clarified that all Illinois counties that see a lower demand for vaccinations can now extend eligibility at their discretion.
The Illinois Department of Public Health on Friday authorized counties in the state that saw a reduced demand for COVID vaccine to begin vaccinating all residents over the age of 16, at their immediate discretion, to “address a possible growing trend of COVID hospitalizations.” and case rates ”.
IDPH said in a statement that it has seen vaccine demand slow in several counties, “with early signs of unfulfilled scheduling and an increased vaccine inventory.”
As such, the state authorizes counties with open schedules and a slower application to expand vaccine eligibility to use currently available doses. IDPH mentioned that residents should contact the local health department to find out if they have extended their eligibility.
The state also announced on Friday that it is sending “fast-response vaccination teams” to five counties where epidemiologists “have determined that doses need to be given quickly to block growing trends,” IDPH said. These teams will administer Johnson & Johnson vaccinations in one fell swoop to residents in addition to what counties are already allocated.
These counties are: Carroll, Ogle, Boone, Lee and Whiteside. Details on dosages and how to make an appointment are as follows, on IDPH:
“Recent increases in hospital admissions and the positivity of tests are linked to new developments and we do not want to follow the same path we saw before and experience a recurrence of the pandemic, which is why Governor Pritzker has instructed us to use all resources. to stop these increases, “IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said in a statement.
Illinois saw a 10-day increase in the seven-day average for March 8 hospitalizations, IDPH said, and the COVID-19 test positive was 3.3 percent as of Friday – up from 2.5 percent in March 10.
“While these rates are certainly significantly lower than the peak, they are a potential early warning sign of a possible recurrence,” IDPH said.
Chicago officials said Thursday that coronavirus values in the city have also shown “worrying increases” in recent weeks, noting that “most alarmingly,” the number of new COVID cases in the city has risen in the “high risk” category. due to five days of increases.
IDPH said Friday that the daily case rate in Chicago rose nearly 50 percent last week, along with a six-day increase in test positivity, while the Cook County suburban saw a 40 percent increase in the daily case rate. , along with nine days of increased hospital bed use.
“We can’t go any further if our metrics go back,” Ezike said. “The vaccine will help us reach the end of the pandemic, but we must continue to reduce the spread of the virus by wearing a mask, avoiding large crowds, and keeping six feet away.” testing after seeing others and vaccination as soon as possible ”.
Gov. JB Pritzker announced last week that all Illinois residents over the age of 16 will be eligible for vaccination beginning April 12.
Here’s a look at the full vaccine eligibility program:
| Date | Eligible groups |
| December 15, 2020 | Health workers and staff of long-term care institutions and residents |
| January 25, 2021 | Essential front-line workers (including first responders, teachers in K-12 and other public-oriented industries) and residents aged 65 and over |
| February 25, 2021 | Residents with high risk conditions or disabilities, aged 16 and over |
| March 22, 2021 | Higher education staff, government workers and the media |
| March 29, 2021 | Restaurant staff, construction workers and religious leaders |
| April 12, 2021 | Any resident 16 years of age or older |
All vaccinations remain on schedule, officials said, adding that “setting up an appointment to receive a shot may take some time.” Newly eligible workers can make appointments at “the more than 900 locations in the network of state suppliers,” Pritzker said.
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.