Chicago prepares to expand vaccine eligibility to more residents as it moves to Phase 1C later this month, who will qualify?
Phase 1C, which begins March 29, will include people with underlying health conditions and key workers such as restaurant workers, personal care people, retailers and more, officials announced Wednesday.
But the list of underlying conditions is not the same as the one used for the state’s Phase 1B Plus. Vaccinations at city-managed sites are also limited to Chicago residents only.
Here’s a rundown of who is and isn’t eligible for Stage 1C in Chicago:
Underlying medical conditions
Cancer (current diagnosis), heart, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular disease (including heart disease, coronary artery disease, and hypertension or high blood pressure), chronic kidney disease, chronic respiratory disease (including cystic fibrosis, moderate to severe asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease / emphysema [COPD]), Diabetes (type 1 and type 2), disability: physical, developmental, visual, hearing or mental, neurological disorders (including dementia), Down syndrome, immune compromised state (weakened immune system) including by blood or bone marrow transplant, immune system deficiencies, HIV , use of corticosteroids or use of other immune-weakening drugs, liver disease (including hepatitis), pregnancy, obesity: BMI ≥30 kg / m2, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, sickle cell disease, thalassemia, persons with disabilities
Clergy and religious organizations
People aged 65 and over; Whenever possible, prioritize Chicagoans 75 and older and Chicagoans 65-74 years with underlying medical conditions
Energy
Employees who support the energy industry, including those involved in the production, distribution and repair of energy
Finances
Banks; exchange currency; consumer loans; credit unions; appraisers; title companies; financial markets; Financial Institutions; institutions that sell financial services; accounting services and insurance
Food and drink
Restaurant and other facilities that prepare and serve food (including bars); entities providing food services
Higher education
Employees in educational institutions – including junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, technical schools, trade schools, educational support services and curriculum management
Information technology and communication
Internet, video and telecommunication systems, repair of consumer electronics, repair of computers and office machines
Legal
Employees who provide legal services or support the operations of the judicial system, including judges, attorneys, paralegals, legal assistants, process servers, couriers, surety officers, probation officers, probation offices, judicial personnel and others who provide legal assistance or perform legal functions
Media
Newspapers, magazines, television, radio and other media services, news dealers and kiosks, broadcasts, news syndicates, printers and book publishers
Other community or government based operations and essential functions
Other government employees; community-based essential functions (e.g. urban planning, offices providing for basic needs such as food, childcare, shelter and social services); employees in libraries
Personal care and hygiene
Companies that provide personal care such as hair, nails and non-medical massage.
Laundromats, dry cleaners, industrial laundry services and laundry service providers
Public health
Public health entities; pharmaceutical companies, medical devices and equipment and biotechnology companies
Public safety
Employees who ensure that public safety systems function properly, including building inspectors, civil engineers, chemical engineers, aerospace engineers, and hazardous materials rescuers. Employees who build and maintain roads, highways, railways and ports. Cyber security workers
Retail
Store employees, including but not limited to stores selling alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, medicines that do not require a medical prescription, other non-grocery items (e.g., electronics, optical goods, books, etc.), other consumer household products, wholesalers , licensed cannabis pharmacies and breeding centers
Shelter and housing
DIY stores and companies; construction and maintenance of buildings, real estate; hotel and motel employees
Transport and logistics
Employees at gas stations; supply and repair of cars and bicycles; companies that provide shipping and delivery services; couriers; warehouses; private mail; Aviation personnel not covered by 1b; workers in rail, water, truck, charter bus transportation or transportation rental
Water and wastewater
Employees involved in wastewater treatment and operations; sanitation and storm maintenance crews who perform emergency and essential maintenance of systems
Those already eligible for Phase 1A and 1B will also remain eligible for 1C.
Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Health, noted that only Chicago residents are eligible for city-run vaccination sites.
“I want to clarify that starting March 29, only Chicago residents can be vaccinated at City of Chicago vaccination sites,” Arwady said. “We’ve asked healthcare providers to continue to prioritize vaccination for their existing patients with the most underlying conditions, so we don’t need residency requirements to get you vaccinated with your regular doctor or when we run employer-focused vaccinations, which will likely be able to begin,” probably more severe in May. “
Arwady said the city will not enforce a residency requirement, but said for public vaccination sites “at least for the next few months, we will limit that eligibility for Chicago residents.”
The next phase will begin on March 29, but officials warned that not everyone who qualifies will be able to make an appointment right away.
“What this shift to Stage 1C doesn’t mean is that we will have enough vaccine right away for those who qualify for the first time,” the mayor said. “We are optimistic that we will continue to see a steady stream of vaccines in March, that April will look even better, but we want to make sure we channel people’s expectations. is underway. We are expected to receive more vaccines in the course of this next phase. “
Chicago will remain under Phase 1B, which will include front-line workers and residents aged 65 and older, as well as health and long-term care workers and residents eligible for Phase 1A of the city’s rollout.
The city chose to expand into Phase 1B Plus alongside the state, making people with certain underlying medical conditions eligible due to a lack of supply.
Already, many residents eligible for Phase 1B Plus of the state rollout can get vaccinated at the United Center’s federally-led mass vaccination site.
“This marks a major increase in suitability,” said Arwady. “ And that means that in April and May we will focus on vaccinating people with underlying conditions and essential workers, especially those who cannot work from home, but we will continue to focus on anyone who is not yet having the vaccine in 1A or 1B, and keep making sure that when people get a two-dose series of vaccinations, they get it on time. “
For a complete list of where and how to book an appointment in Illinois or where to get vaccine information for your area, click here.