VACCINE UPDATE: Illinois Phase 1B Begins, Counties Open Online Registration

 

On Monday, January 25th, Governor J.B. Pritzker announced that many regions in Illinois are beginning Phase 1B of the Illinois Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 Vaccination plan.  The Governor released more information on who is eligible in Phase 1B, a map of locations administering the vaccine and what forms of identification you’ll need to show on-site before receiving the vaccine. most County health departments have also updated their sites with vaccine registration portals.

Defining “Frontline Essential Worker”

The IDPH released a more detailed version of the CDC definitions of “frontline essential workers” that will be included in Phase 1B.

  • First Responders: Fire, law enforcement, 911 workers, security personnel, school officers Education (Congregate Child Care, Pre-K through 12th grade): Teachers, principals, student support, student aids, day care workers (see more details in backup)
  • Food and Agriculture: Processing, plants, veterinary health, livestock services, animal care
  • Manufacturing: Industrial production of good for distribution to retail, wholesale or other manufactures
  • Corrections Workers and Inmates: Prison/jail officers, juvenile facility staff, workers providing in-person support, inmates
  • United State Postal Services Workers
  • Public Transit Workers: Flight crew, bus drivers, train conductors, taxi drivers, para-transit drivers, in-person support, ride sharing services
  • Grocery Store Workers: Baggers, cashiers, stockers, pick-up, customer service
  • Shelters/Adult Day Care: Homeless shelter, women’s shelter, adult day/drop-in program, sheltered workshop, psycho-social rehab

County-by-County Rollout

The IDPH website and each individual county’s website remain the best resources for vaccine information and registration. Some Counties have already begun registering and vaccinating Phase 1B eligible individuals through their websites. Most County websites have vaccine registration portals for Phase 1B workers, or direct people to send an email or call by phone to schedule vaccination. The registration process may involve questions to verify your phase eligibility and either direct you to registration/scheduling or sign you up for updates on when you can schedule. If you try to register and you are not Phase 1B eligible, some portals will ask you to register again at a later time or notify you that you fall into Phase 1C and they’ll contact you when Phase 1C is set to begin in that county.

Surveying several Illinois county health departments, the following registration information can be found on their websites:

  • Cook – Registration online for 1B, or call hotline (833) 308-1988
  • DuPage – Registration online
  • Lake – Registration online for 1B
  • Madison – Registration online to “open soon”
  • McHenry – Registration online for 1A & 1B & 1C
  • Peoria – Registration via email
  • Rock Island – Registration online
  • Sangamon – Registration/Scheduling online
  • Tazewell – 1B Registration by Phone
  • Will – Registration online, but still for 1A

You can find your local health department on the IDPH directory:

http://www.idph.state.il.us/IDPHPrograms/v_LHDDirectory/Show-V-LHDDirectory-Public.aspx

Vaccination Sites

Phase 1B vaccinations will occur at State-run vaccination facilities, doctors’ offices, retail pharmacies, hospitals, and Federally Qualified Health Centers across the state. The Governor made it clear that the availability of the vaccine at each county and individual vaccination sites depend on available supply.

Here is a map showing vaccination locations throughout Illinois:

https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/vaccination-location?fbclid=IwAR0InxkBPdrE7mk9pEk2DHplwsCuCtZsub1AQJlXq_LZU0eio44AujldkXM

What You Might Need to Bring

The documents that vaccination sites are requiring for 1B eligible participants to provide before vaccination varies slightly. Some sites may ask for some information when you sign up, such as what company you work for and job title. It’s advised to check with your administering site on requirements. Here’s what most sites are requiring:

  • Proof of employment (badge, paystub, uniform, etc)
  • Valid State or Government issued ID
  • Medical Insurance/Prescription Card(s)

Supply & Phase 1C

COVID-19 vaccine availability at each site will depend on supply. Some are projecting Phase 1C vaccinations will begin by mid-to-late February, while others believe Phase 1C will start in March or April. Again, it all depends on the supply.

We will provide more updates as new information becomes available.