Health officials say they still do not have enough doses for everyone who wants them. They tell people to be patient.
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“The opening of vaccination to all adults in Chicago is another important milestone in our goal to vaccinate everyone and move past the pandemic to reopen our city safely,” said Mayor Lori Lightfoot. “I encourage everyone to be vaccinated, and anyone who wants to get a vaccine will receive it, but I want to remind people to be patient in making an appointment, as our vaccination is still very limited.”
Any Chicago resident who is 16 years of age or older can search for appointments at zocdoc.com/vaccine or the Chicago COVID-19 Vaccine Seeker, as well as the COVID-19 Helpline at (312) 746-4835. Vaccinations are also available from Costco Pharmacies, CVS, Jewel Osco, Mariano’s and Walgreens.
“I am encouraged by our increased vaccination rates, but we are also still seeing a slow and steady increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, especially among younger Chicago residents,” said Allison Arwady, MD, commissioner of the Chicago Department of public health said. “As we qualify, we can increase vaccination for younger populations to slow the spread of the virus. Hopefully, our federal government vaccine supply will increase. We will continue to use all the doses we receive quickly.”
At the West Town Clinic of Erie Family Health Centers, the demand for vaccine is only increasing.
“I think of my family. Be safe for them and also for the place where I work now,” said Gloria Herrera, the vaccine recipient.
Now that Herrera is getting her first dose, she also wanted to give up her 16-year-old daughter – and she’s not alone.
With Chicago joining the rest of Illinois to expand the vaccine for anyone 16 years and older, Erie Family Health Centers hears from parents.
“Our sites with Pfizer are full this week, and so the 16- and 17-year-olds need to get Pfizer again. This is what they have been approved for so far, and all the sites where we have Pfizer are already full this week,” says dr. Sara Naureckas, medical director. of Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Erie Family Health.
The transition to universal fitness for adults comes as Chicago reaches a milestone: more than half of residents 18 and older have received at least one dose.
“Every adult is eligible. And it is my expectation that as we begin to get more vaccinations, more and more people, including younger people, will get the vaccine,” said Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
The timing of vaccine expansion is critical, while young adults are causing the recent increase in infections.
“Over the past month or so, we’ve really seen those teens, the group of 16 or 18 to 29, who were affected by the pandemic,” said Dr. Michael Angarone, specialist in Northwest medicine infectious diseases.
Although there is anecdotal evidence, many of the teens and young adults may be more reluctant than having other groups vaccinated, but this was not the case at Erie Family Health Centers.
“And when I see the kids for their investigations, they ask me how they can get it. We have people calling and asking for appointments for them,” Naureckas said.
Although everyone 16 years and older is now eligible, Erie Family Health Centers said they will continue to reach out to some people eligible for Phase 1B and 1C.
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