Chicago will enter Phase 1C of COVID vaccines in late March, extending eligibility to essential workers such as waiters, waiters, stylists and more, along with residents who have underlying health conditions.
But who is eligible and how can you sign up?
Here is everything we know so far.
When does phase 1C begin?
Phase 1C, which will begin on March 29, officials announced Wednesday.
Who is fit?
The following is a breakdown of who is and is not eligible for Phase 1C in Chicago:
Underlying medical conditions
Cancer (current diagnosis), heart, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular disorders (including heart disease, coronary artery disease, and hypertension or high blood pressure), chronic kidney disease, chronic respiratory disorders (including cystic fibrosis, moderate to severe asthma, fibrosis) pulmonary, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease / emphysema [COPD]), Diabetes (type 1 and type 2), disability: physical, developmental, visual, auditory or mental, neurological conditions (including dementia), Down syndrome, immunocompromised state (weakened immune system), including blood transplant or bone marrow, immunological deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids or use of other drugs to weaken immunity, liver disease (including hepatitis), pregnancy, obesity: BMI ≥30 kg / m2, disorders of the spectrum of schizophrenia, sickle cell disease, thalassemia, people with disabilities
Clergy and religious organizations
People aged 65 or over; as far as possible, prioritizing children aged 75 and over and children aged 65 to 74 with underlying medical conditions
Energy
Workers who support the energy sector, including those involved in the manufacture, distribution and repair of energy
Finance
Benches; currency exchanges; consumer loans; credit unions; appraisers; titular companies; financial markets; financial institutions; institutions that sell financial services; accounting services and insurance services
Food and drink service
Restaurant and other facilities that prepare and serve food (including bars); entities that provide food services
Higher education
Employees of educational institutions, including junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, technical schools, vocational schools, educational support services and education administration programs
Information and communication technologies
Internet, video and telecommunications systems, repair of consumer electronics, repair of computers and office machines
Legal
Workers who provide legal services or support the operations of the judicial system, including judges, lawyers, jurists, legal assistants, trial servants, messengers, bailiffs, probation officers, probation officers, judicial staff and others who provide legal assistance or perform legal functions.
Media
Newspapers, periodicals, television, radio and other media services, news outlets and newsstands, broadcasting, news syndicates, printing and book publishers
Other essential operations and functions based on the community or government
Other government employees; essential community-based functions (e.g., urban planning, offices that provide basic needs such as food, daycare, shelter, and social services); library workers
Personal care and hygiene services
Companies that offer personal care services such as hair, nails and non-medical massages.
Laundries, dry cleaners, industrial laundry services and laundry service providers
Public Health
Public health entities; pharmaceutical companies, medical devices and equipment and biotechnology
Public Security
Workers who ensure that public safety systems work properly, including building inspectors, civil engineers, chemical engineers, aerospace engineers, and hazardous materials response agents. Workers who build and maintain roads, highways, railways and ports. Cybersecurity operations workers
Retail
Retail store workers, including stores that sell alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, over-the-counter medications, other non-grocery products (e.g., electronics, optical products, books, etc.), other consumer products for the home, wholesalers, dispensaries and cannabis licensed cultivation centers
Shelter and housing
Hardware stores and companies; construction and maintenance of buildings, real estate; hotel and motel workers
Transport and logistics
Gas station workers; supply and repair of automobiles and bicycles; companies that provide shipping and delivery services; messengers; warehouses; private mail; Airline workers not included in 1b; workers in rail, water, truck, bus charter or transportation rental
Water and wastewater
Workers involved in wastewater treatment and operations; sanitary and storm maintenance equipment performing emergency and essential maintenance of systems
Those already eligible in phases 1A and 1B will also remain eligible in 1C.
Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady noted that eligibility for city-run vaccination sites will be limited to Chicago residents only.
How can an appointment be arranged?
Officials offer vaccines through Zocdoc. Residents can check out zocdoc.com/vaccine to confirm eligibility, see nearby vaccination sites, show real-time appointment availability, and receive notifications when new appointments are available.
The city also says appointments can be made through certain employers, local health care providers and pharmacies in the area.
For a complete list of ways to make an appointment in Chicago, click here.
However, officials warned that not all eligible will be able to get an appointment immediately.
“My concern, you know, as we open up, is that right away, people will magically think there’s a huge offer starting on March 29, and there isn’t,” Arwady said. “But by this time we will have received enough vaccine to have passed, you know, the vast majority, about three-quarters of the people who would have been eligible for 1B. We know we’ve vaccinated non-Chicago residents. as well, and both sides look good in terms of the ability to really get up, so I know a lot of people are eager to get vaccinated and I also know that April will probably feel frustrating for some of them, especially in early April, but by the end of April, you know, and by May I think we’ll be at a point where we’ll start to feel more like a typical flu shot. “
For a full view of where and how you can make an appointment in Illinois or where you can get information about vaccines in your area, click here.