Smoking is on the list of high-risk medical conditions and comorbidities that make someone eligible for the Illinois 1B plus coronavirus vaccine.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, smoking is considered an “eligible condition” at this stage, along with other conditions such as cancer, diabetes, obesity, pregnancy and more.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that “being a current or former cigarette smoker increases your risk of severe COVID-19 disease.”
Illinois entered Phase 1B Plus on February 25, increasing eligibility to include people with certain underlying conditions and comorbidities. The move meant that an additional 3.4 million people in Illinois became eligible for the vaccine.
Smoking was not on the list of eligible conditions when the first phase was announced, but was added as the state entered the phase last week.
To see how you can sign up for a COVID vaccine meeting in Illinois, click here.
The list of high-risk medical conditions, which the state said could be changed, initially included:
- 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
The extension applied to those aged 16 and over, who were not otherwise covered in the previous eligibility categories, the state said. This is in addition to health workers and long-term care unit staff and residents who qualified for Phase 1A of the state launch, as well as essential front-line workers and residents aged 65 and over who were eligible for beginning of phase 1B.
However, many counties in the Chicago area, including the city itself, have chosen not to extend eligibility, citing a lack of supply.
Here’s everything you need to know about Phase 1B Plus, including who is in the extended phase and not.