Illinois plans to expand the list of people eligible for COVID-19 vaccines in phase 1B of its launch beginning Feb. 25.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced Wednesday that the state hopes to add people with “a high-risk medical condition” or comorbidity. The list includes people with cancer, diabetes, obesity, pregnant women and those with various conditions.
“In light of a steadily increasing federal supply of vaccines, Illinois is planning to extend Phase 1B eligibility on Feb. 25 to people with comorbidities and underlying conditions, as defined by the CDC,” he said. governor’s office in a statement. “In addition, Illinois will also prioritize people with disabilities.”
The list of high-risk medical conditions that meet the requirements (which may change) includes:
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Diabetes
- Heart condition
- Immunocompromised state from a solid organ transplant
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Lung disease
- Sickle cell disease
“Children under the age of 65 who live with comorbidities, such as cancer survivors or those suffering from heart disease, have a high risk of serious complications or death if they contract COVID-19,” Pritzker said in a statement. “Illinois is moving forward with CDC guidelines to expand our eligible population as supply allows, approaching the point where the vaccine is widely available to anyone who wants it. In the meantime, I encourage everyone the people of Illinois to wear masks and follow the mitigations so that more neighbors are healthy and alive when it comes to the vaccination line.
The expansion applies to those over the age of 16 who were not otherwise covered in previous eligibility categories, the state said, adding that it plans to work with local health departments and other providers in as eligibility increases.
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.
According to medical experts from Illinois and the United States, pregnant women were excluded from vaccine trials, so there was little information on vaccine safety for this group.
Earlier this month, White House health adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci said there have been no “red flags” on the more than 10,000 pregnant women who have received vaccines so far.
The guide published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that if a woman is part of a group recommended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and is pregnant, she can choose to be vaccinated. A discussion with your healthcare provider can help you make an informed decision, according to the agency.
There are already more than 3.2 million Illinois residents eligible for vaccination in Phase 1B, which includes people age 65 and older, as well as “essential front-line workers.”
Below is a look at who is already included, in addition to health care workers and those in long-term care centers who were eligible in Phase 1A:
- Residents 65 years of age or older
- Essential front-line workers, which means “residents who have a higher risk of COVID-19 exposure due to their work duties, often because they cannot work from home and / or have to work closely with others without being able to distance themselves socially.This includes:
- First responders: Fires, law enforcement, 911 workers, security personnel, school officers
- Education: Teachers, principals, student aid, student aid, daycare
- Food and agriculture: Processing, plants, veterinary health, livestock services, animal care
- Manufacturing: Industrial production of goods for distribution to retail, wholesale or other manufactures
- Corrections and interns: Prison agents, juvenile facility staff, in-person support workers, inmates
- USPS workers
- Public transport workers: Flight crew, bus drivers, train drivers, taxi drivers, public transport drivers, in-person assistance, travel sharing services
- Grocery store workers: Baggers, ATMs, stockers, collection, customer service
- Hostels and daycare staff: Shelter for homeless people, shelter for women, adult program / start day, sheltered workshop, psychosocial rehabilitation