A new community vaccination site in Des Plaines will be the first large-scale facility to administer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in Illinois, Cook County Health announced Wednesday.
The health department will widely open its fourth vaccination site at 1155 E. Oakton St. in Des Plaines on Friday or Saturday, pending the vaccine’s arrival, according to a publication.
“This is a critical time in our fight against COVID-19, and the provision of all three FDA-approved vaccines ensures that our residents get every vaccine option currently available,” said Toni Preckwinkle, chairman of the Cook County Board. “The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been proven to be safe and effective in protecting people from serious illness and death. The fact that it is a single dose vaccine is exciting because it allows people to protect themselves in just one visit. “
Cook County officials said they expect to provide nearly 3,500 doses per day once the vaccination site is “fully optimized” and the vaccine is available. Officials noted that the Des Planes site is the first large-scale statewide facility to administer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Residents can start making the required appointments for the coronavirus vaccine at the new location at 1 p.m. on Thursday. Appointments can be made from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday at vaccine.cookcountyil.gov or by calling (833) 308-1988.
For more information on how to sign up for a coronavirus vaccine in Illinois, check out the NBC 5 Vaccine Guide here.
“This location is indicative of our continued commitment to distribute vaccines in Cook County in what is expected to be one of the largest vaccine programs in the country,” said Israel Rocha Jr., CEO of Cook County Health. “The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is another tool in our fight against COVID-19, and we are excited to provide our residents with another highly effective vaccine that will help keep people out of the hospital and prevent deaths.”
More than 18,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will arrive in Cook County Thursday, the health department said Wednesday.
Vaccine deliveries from Johnson & Johnson began Monday, and Chicago and Illinois expect to receive an estimated dose of more than 100,000 by the end of the week.
The Illinois Department of Public Health said doses are expected statewide, with about 22,000 planned for Chicago and another 83,000 for the remaining regions.
More than 90% of the newly authorized vaccine will go to massive vaccination centers around the state, while the remaining doses will be shipped to other providers, officials said. IDPH noted that total doses do not include doses to Chicago which will receive its own assignment.