Several new vaccination sites will open in Illinois this week. Plus, what do you need to know about the AstraZeneca and Novavax vaccines as trials continue?
Whether you're looking for a vaccine, waiting for your turn, hoping to help loved ones or just trying to make sense of it all, here's a breakdown of the latest vaccine news from across the state.
Phase 1C in Illinois? Pritzker Says Vaccine Eligibility Will Expand, But Gives No Timeline
When might Illinois expand vaccine eligibility to Phase 1C of its rollout?
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Gov. J.B. Pritzker said while he anticipates opening up vaccine eligibility - particularly in the months ahead to meet President Joe Biden's deadline of having all adults eligible by May 1 - the exact timing of Illinois' expansion isn't clear. Read more here.
State of Illinois Starts Rural Vaccination Program
Under a new pilot program, mobile teams with the Illinois National Guard have started visiting rural communities with the hope of administering up to 1,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine a day.
The program, which provides residents with the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, began Monday with a one-day clinic in Fayette County, according to a news release Gov. J.B. Pritzker's office.
Additional sites are expected to open in the coming days in Clay, Moultrie and Shelby counties. Only residents from the specified county will be able to receive vaccinations at the site.
Illinois Launches 5 New Mobile Vaccination Sites
Starting this week, the National Guard will be brining vaccines to rural communities to set up events that will delivering upwards of 1,000 doses of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine per day, the governor announced Monday. The program will begin with events in Fayette and Shelby counties before expanding to additional sites in Moultrie and Clay County later this week, the governor's office said. List of locations below:
| Mar 15 | Fayette County Health Department | 416 W. Edwards, Vandalia, IL | http://www.fayettehealthdept.org/COVID-19.html | 1,000 County residents only |
| Mar 17-18 | Lake Shelbyville USACE Dam West Recreation Area | 1989 IL-16, Shelbyville, IL | https://www.shelbyhealth.net/ | 1,600 County residents only |
| Mar 20 | Moultrie County | Location information to follow | https://www.moultriehealth.org/ | 800 County residents only |
| Mar 22 | Oil Belt Christian Service Camp, Clay County | 555 Park Road, Flora, IL | https://www.healthdept.org/ | 700 County residents only |
Aurora to Open COVID Vaccine Appointments for 4th 1-Day Clinic
The city of Aurora on Monday is set to open thousands of COVID-19 vaccine appointments for a one-day mass vaccination clinic this week, the fourth the city has held so far.
Read more here.
Vaccination Event Set for Schaumburg Convention Center Wednesday
Several suburban communities have partnered with Jewel Osco to host a large COVID-19 vaccination event in the coming weeks at the Schaumburg Convention Center.
As part of the event, first does of the Pfizer vaccine will be administered to eligible residents on Wednesday, March 17, while second does will be given on Wednesday, April 7, according to a news release. Click here for more info.
DeKalb County to Open Vaccination Site at Northern Illinois University Arena Wednesday
DeKalb County will open a vaccination site in the Northern Illinois University Convocation Center next week with help from the Illinois National Guard, state officials announced. DeKalb's location is expected to open Wednesday, according to the state, with a goal of administering up to 270 doses per day.
Read more here.
AstraZeneca and Novavax COVID Vaccines: What We Know So Far
Though the U.S. already has three approved COVID vaccines being distributed across the country, there have been some discussions about two others circulating elsewhere in the world: the AstraZeneca vaccine and the Novavax vaccine. Both companies expect their vaccines to be considered for U.S. approval this spring, but what separates them from the ones already being administered in the U.S.?
Here's a look at the two vaccines.
COVID Vaccine Appointments at United Center Open to 4 Additional Chicago ZIP Codes
The following Chicago ZIP codes can schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments at the United Center vaccination site: 60624, 60644, 60651, 60653. According to the mayor's office, the new ZIP codes are on Chicago's South and West Sides in an effort to increase vaccinations in neighborhood with a "high COVID-19 burden."
Read more here.
Will County to Open New COVID Vaccination Site This Week
Two new coronavirus vaccination sites are set to open in Will County later this month, health officials announced Friday. Beginning the week of March 22, Will County residents can begin receiving vaccine doses in Wilmington at St. Rose Church, and in Monee at the former Second Place Church starting the week of March 29. For more information, click here.
Vaccinated State: The Path Forward
In the finale episode of "Vaccinated State," we look at what's ahead and hear a Chicagoan’s story that took a surprising turn, changing her decision about getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Watch here.
For a look at how to sign-up for vaccinations in Illinois click here.
