Chicago will enter Phase 1C, expanding eligibility for the coronavirus vaccine to include people with underlying health conditions and essential workers on March 29, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot officially announced on Wednesday.
“We are here to announce that because of the progress we have made today in the fight against COVID-19, we will move to Category 1C as planned on March 29,” Lightfoot said. This is good news for the tens of thousands who are eagerly waiting their turn to receive the life-saving vaccine COVID-19.
Lightfoot noted that the expansion means that in two weeks, vaccine eligibility in Chicago will be extended to underlying health residents and key workers, including restaurant employees, hotel workers, hairdressers, clergy, construction workers, delivery drivers and warehouse workers, among others. Those already eligible in phases 1A and 1B will also remain eligible in 1C.
Click here for a full list of eligible people
Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said eligibility for city-run vaccination sites will be limited to Chicago residents.
“I want to make it clear that starting March 29, only Chicago residents will be able to be vaccinated at Chicago’s vaccination sites,” Arwady said. “We have asked healthcare providers to prioritize vaccination for their existing patients who suffer from the most basic conditions, so we don’t need residency requirements for you to get vaccinated with your regular doctor or when we do vaccinations focused on employer, which will probably be able to start, probably more seriously in May “.
Arwady said the city will not force a residency requirement, but told public vaccination sites “at least in the next few months, we will limit this eligibility for Chicago residents.”
However, Lightfoot noted that as eligibility expands, appointments will continue to be limited depending on the offer.
“What this transition to phase 1C does not mean is that we will have enough vaccine for those who are newly eligible immediately,” the mayor said. “We are optimistic that we will continue to see a steady flow of vaccines in March, that April will look even better, but we want to make sure we manage people’s expectations. It will take us some time because of the limited offer we still receive, but hope is on the way. We expect to receive more vaccines during the next phase. “
Chicago remains under Phase 1B, which includes key frontline workers and residents aged 65 and over, as well as health care workers and long-term care facility staff and residents who were eligible in Phase 1A of the city’s launch.
The city has given up expanding to Phase 1B Plus with the state, making those with certain underlying medical conditions eligible because of what it said is a shortage of supplies.
Phase 1C would extend vaccine eligibility to all other essential workers who are not already eligible, as well as to Chicagoans over the age of 16 with underlying medical conditions.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Phase 1C includes:
- People aged between 65 and 74 years because there is an increased risk of hospitalization, illness and death due to COVID-19. People aged 65 to 74 who are also residents of long-term care institutions should be vaccinated in phase 1a.
- People aged between 16 and 64 with underlying medical conditions which increase the risk of serious, life-threatening complications due to COVID-19.
- Other essential workers, such as people working in transport and logistics, food services, housing construction and financing, information technology, communications, energy, law, media, public safety and public health.
The CDC notes, however, that Phase 1B and Phase 1C may overlap in some cases, such as the underlying medical conditions.
Already, many eligible residents in Phase 1B Plus of the state launch can be vaccinated at the federally administered United Center mass vaccination site.
“This marks a major increase in eligibility,” Arwady said. “And that means that in April and May, we will focus on vaccinating people with basic conditions and essential workers, especially those who cannot work from home, but we will focus on anyone who has not yet received the vaccine in 1A or 1B and continue to make sure that where people get a series of two-dose vaccines, they get it on time. “
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.