Chicago is now in phase 1B of COVID-19 vaccinations. This means Chicagoans age 65+ and specific groups of highest-risk and front-line essential workers will be eligible for vaccination. Please remember, even when you become eligible, it may take weeks to get an appointment. It is expected it to take at least through February and March for frontline essential workers and those who are 65+ to get their first dose of vaccine because of limited supply and the number of providers who are able to administer the vaccine. The vaccine will be offered at no cost to all Chicagoans who want it, but patience is needed while vaccine quantities increase. Learn more about Chicago's vaccination phases.
There are three ways to register in Chicago:
Healthcare Providers: Your first contact should be your health care provider, including your primary care provider, health clinic, or hospital where you have gotten medical care in the past. Over 350 health care providers have signed up with the Chicago Dept of Public Health (CDPH) to distribute vaccine. Providers are also reaching out directly to schedule appointments with their existing patients, prioritizing those who are older with more underlying conditions. If you have insurance but do not have a primary care provider, please check with your insurance company for a list of providers accepting new patients. If you do not have insurance, one option is to enroll with one of Chicago’s many Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).
Pharmacies: The City of Chicago has provided vaccines to pharmacies across Chicago. There are currently four pharmacies which have their own registration links - Walgreens, Mariano's, Walmart, and Jewel Osco.
Employers: Employers in prioritized essential worker groups will be able to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine to their employees in 1b by enrolling as vaccine providers (https://www.chicagohan.org/covidvax) or through partnerships with 3rd party vaccinators. CDPH is working directly with some employers as vaccine becomes available; for example, first responders are already being vaccinated and others will begin soon. If you will receive your vaccine through your employer, you do not need to take any other action.
Please note that it may take some time to get an appointment given limited supply. We will be announcing additional centralized scheduling options in the coming weeks. For more information, visit chicago.gov/COVIDvax. You can also sign up through Cook County. Learn more here.
Click here for the latest COVID-19 vaccine updates and click here for all COVID related content for Chicago. Please sign up at Chi COVID Coach to pre-register for your vaccine. Lastly, you can sign up for Chicago Public Health Department's newsletter here.
