Chicago is now in Phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. All Chicagoans 16 and older are eligible for the vaccine. People in phases 1a, 1b and 1c remain eligible.
Due to high demand, it may take weeks to get an appointment even when you become eligible.
The vaccine will be offered at no cost to those who want it, but please have patience while vaccine supplies increase.
Please see the resources below to find vaccine updates, learn when it’s your turn to be vaccinated, and to access an interactive map with vaccine administration locations.
Regardless of where you receive it, all vaccines will be administered by appointment only. Please reach out to your primary care provider first to request and appointment. If you do not have a primary care provider, pharmacies and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) are offering the vaccine.
If you or a loved one are having trouble accessing an appointment online for a COVID-19 vaccine, our office is working with volunteers who can assist in this process. Please call our 48th Ward COVID Line at 224-698-7507 or email 48thwardcovid@gmail.com and leave the name, phone number, and address of the person in need of assistance. We will have a volunteer follow up to see how they can assist. Please note, emailing/calling does not guarantee a vaccine appointment, but we will do all we can to help make this process easier for you or your loved one.
The City of Chicago is working to integrate mobile home health care vaccination services to
reach home-bound individuals who are unable to go to the City’s COVID-19 vaccination sites to
get the vaccine.
To be eligible for this program, you must live in the City of Chicago and:
If you fit these criteria, please complete the web-based form to coordinate an in-home vaccine with the City.
Q: I’m not sure which phase I am in according to my employment. How can I determine this?
A: Click here for an outline of the federal and state guidelines the City is following re: phases. If you are still unclear and your employer is as well, please email coronavirus@chicago.gov or call the Coronavirus hotline at 312-746-4835 to get guidance from the Chicago Department of Public Health.
Q: Why am I having so much trouble getting an appointment? I qualify as Phase 1b and I am worried that I’ll miss my chance to get vaccinated.
A: You will not miss your chance. We are glad that so many of our neighbors are eager to take this important step to protect themselves and one another! The City is not currently receiving enough doses each week to meet the demand of everyone who wants to get vaccinated, so we all have to practice patience and continue to wear our masks and socially distance until we are all vaccinated. Everyone will get a vaccine, it is just going to take some time. Thousands of people are rushing to make an appointment this week, do not worry if you aren’t able to land one immediately. Please stay in touch with your doctor, check for appointments every few days, and the City’s capacity will grow. Our office will continue to provide updates.
Q: I called my doctor/pharmacy and they don’t have the vaccine. What should I do?
A: CDPH is actively enrolling doctors and pharmacies who will be able to provide vaccines. It may take a week or two for your health care provider or preferred pharmacy to get onboarded as a vaccination site, so you can check back every few days. If your doctor or pharmacist tells you they have no plans to offer the vaccine, use the map at this link to identify nearby sites that you can reach out to for an appointment.
Q: I got an appointment for my first dose but it’s a long way off. I’m worried I won’t be able to make my second dose appointment on time. What should I do?
A: All vaccine providers have a process to ensure a second dose appointment is made when you receive your first dose. You have up to 6 weeks for both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to get your second dose.
Q: I’ve heard about some vaccination sites having leftover doses at the end of the day. Can I show up to a City-operated site or a pharmacy at the end of the day to try to get a leftover?
A: Please don’t. The City is requiring all vaccinations to happen by appointment, in order to ensure there are enough doses, and to maintain social distancing while we continue to battle the Coronavirus pandemic. There is no guarantee that any of these sites will have leftovers, so you put yourself and others at risk of spreading/catching COVID by showing up without an appointment.
Q: I heard from my neighbor that her friend’s sister was able to walk into a pharmacy in the suburbs and get a vaccine. Should I just try that?
A: Please don’t, it is incredibly important that you make an appointment to get vaccinated. It’s great to share resources with friends and neighbors, but be cautious of rumors as sometimes the message can get scrambled in transmission. Please use trusted sources like the 48th Ward, City of Chicago, Cook County, and State of Illinois to find out the current guidance and updates.
