There are tens of thousands of appointments open, but they cannot be booked. Instead, they are retained five Chicago-specific zip codes to ensure doses are distributed equitably to the city’s most vulnerable populations.
Residents living in 60608, 60619, 60620, 60649 and 60652 can register for these non-compliant appointments by accessing https://events.juvare.com/chicago/UCPOD/ and using the CCVICHICAGO voucher code or by calling 312- 746-4835.
The city warns that if it is decided that you have used an invalid voucher or have used a voucher for which you are unfit, your appointment may be canceled. You must verify your address to confirm your appointment.
Many appointments at UC remain open. Of the 110,000 total appointments, only 40,000 were reserved for Illinois residents 65 years of age or older and only 10,000 for Chicagoans in 1B more.
The rest has been restored after most appointments for seniors went to people from out of town.
“We need to do it in a way that is consistent with equity, and that’s fundamentally important,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said.
MIRAR | Organizations that help Pilsen residents have an appointment with the United Center vaccine
Pilsen, with its heavily immigrant, mostly Latino community, is within one of the five zip codes the city of Chicago has designated to receive priority access to the vaccine.
“The distant, sometimes for people, is relative,” 25th Ward Ald said. Byron Sigcho-Lopez. “For communities like ours, immigrant communities, vaccination in the neighborhood is critical.”
On Wednesday morning, Pilsen resident Angelica Cruz saw the brochure with the link to register on Facebook. It was published by someone I knew and trusted.
“They just ask for your name, your date of birth and where you live, just to verify that you are in that zip code and you will immediately receive an email informing you that you have gotten that appointment,” Cruz said.
Direct outreach is how the city hopes to make its voice heard. In Cruz’s case, it was Pilsen’s Resurrection Project who shared the information with her.
“We have a network of community browsers, or promoters, and what we did was notify them immediately, send them the link, this is the information. This is the code you need, all in Spanish so they can be mobilized quickly and let everyone in their own networks know, ”said Erendira Rendón, The Resurrection Project.
Trust is key. Vaccination of vaccines by the Black and Latinx communities remains a problem. Language barriers and the absolute fear of those who run the United Center are one of the main issues that continue to affect the effort to vaccinate immigrants, in particular.
“There has been a lot of apprehension about going to these mass vaccination sites, mainly because of the military presence,” said Esther Corpuz of Alivio Medical Center. “And you ask your mind if they’re safe.”
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The United Center opened its doors on Tuesday and opened fully for all appointments booked on Wednesday.
Jeff Ginex received his shot at UC on Wednesday, but on Tuesday night he received a message saying he was canceling the appointment. However, he never did, so he came out anyway.
“You know everything is cheated, you just have to roll with your fists,” Ginex said.
Jim Hubler, who was fired on Wednesday, said that while eligibility guidelines continue to change, it reduces the frequency of government officials.
“I’m frustrated, but I’m also grateful for the magnitude of the problem and the fact that it’s the first time they’ve done it and there’s trouble getting the vaccine,” Hubler said.
At full capacity, the federal administration site plans to administer 6,000 doses a day. It will remain open seven days a week for eight weeks, as people will get the first and second shot.
The installation of 30,000 square feet of less than half a dozen air-conditioned tents begins with a log station. After registering, people with appointments will be taken to one of three dozen vaccination stations, all spaced 6 feet apart, with shots managed by a medical team from the 101st Airborne, which arrived in Chicago on Friday.
The facility also includes a post-injection observation tent, as well as bathroom facilities and shuttle services.
Vaccinations on foot will be made in parking lot E, northeast of the arena. The planned vaccinations will be given in car park C. People who need parking can use lot A.
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