Illinois will expand the list of people eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations in Phase 1B of the rollout, Governor JB Pritzker announced Wednesday.
The state expects to increase vaccination eligibility starting Feb. 25, allowing people with “high-risk medical conditions” or comorbidities to be vaccinated. The list includes people with cancer, diabetes, obesity, women who are pregnant, and people with various other conditions.
“In light of a steadily growing federal vaccine supply, Illinois is planning to make Phase 1B eligible on Feb. 25 for people with co-morbidities and underlying conditions as defined by the CDC,” the governor’s office said in a press release. “In addition, Illinois will also prioritize individuals with disabilities.”
The list of eligible high-risk medical conditions (which is subject to change) includes:
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Diabetes mellitus
- Heart disease
- Immunocompromised state of a solid organ transplant
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Lung disease
- Sickle cell disease
“Those under the age of 65 living with co-morbid conditions, such as cancer survivors or those with heart disease, have an increased risk of serious complications or death if they contract COVID-19,” Pritzker said in a statement. Illinois is moving forward in line with CDC guidelines to expand our eligible population as supply permits, bringing us closer to the point where the vaccine is widely available to anyone who wants it. I encourage all Illinois residents to wear our masks and follow the mitigation measures so that more of our neighbors are healthy and alive when it is their turn on the vaccination line. “
The extension applies to those ages 16 and older who were not otherwise treated in previous fitness categories, the state said, adding that it plans to partner with local health departments and other health care providers as eligibility grows.
According to medical experts from Illinois and the US, pregnant women were excluded from trials for the vaccine, so there was little information about the safety of the vaccines for that group.
Earlier this month, White House health adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci said that “no red flags” have been seen in the more than 10,000 pregnant women who have received vaccinations to date.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines state that if a woman is part of a group recommended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and is pregnant, she can choose to get vaccinated. A conversation with her health care provider can help her make an informed decision, the agency said.
Already, more than 3.2 million Illinois residents are eligible for Phase 1B vaccinations, including people 65 and older and “front-line workers.”
Despite repeated claims that the state struggled to vaccinate those in Stage 1B due to limited supplies, Pritzker praised a 5% dose increase this week alone, saying, “Once we get enough vaccine, we shouldn’t waste time protecting a larger proportion of our most vulnerable population. “
But even as Illinois announced more than 100 new vaccination sites last week, officials continued to press for patience on Wednesday, saying vaccine supplies were limited.
“We are limited by the amount of vaccine available and allocated by the federal government,” the governor’s office said in a press release just before Pritzker’s announcement of eligibility. “Vaccinations are currently only available by appointment and we encourage people to regularly review open appointments. Until supply increases, there will be high demand and we are asking people to be patient.”
As of Feb. 4, the state said it has added 22 local health departments, medical center, and hospital sites, along with two new mass vaccination sites and 110 pharmacy stores, including Walmart and Meijer locations.
For a full rundown of where and how to book an appointment in Illinois or where to get vaccine information for your area, click here.