The Kendall County Health Department has opened up COVID vaccine eligibility to anyone who lives or works in the county and Lake County will open a new mass vaccination site Thursday.
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.
(Note: If you can't find a place near you in the updates below, click here for a complete guide of where you can sign up for the COVID vaccine in Illinois)
Cook County Vaccine: 22K Appointments to Be Released Thursday
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Cook County Health will release 22,000 first-dose COVID vaccine appointments Thursday afternoon for all Illinois residents eligible in Phases 1A, 1B and 1C. The appointments will be released at 4 p.m. Thursday and can be booked on the Cook County vaccine website or by calling the county's hotline at (833) 308-1988.
Details here.
Kendall County COVID Vaccine Eligibility Expands to Anyone Who Lives or Works in County
The Kendall County Health Department on Thursday announced that anyone who lives or works in the county will now be eligible for the coronavirus vaccine.
"The Health Department is excited to announce that we are opening our clinic to anyone that lives or works in Kendall County," the health department wrote on Facebook. "We are no longer following a 'phased' approach." Details here.
Lake County Opens New Mass Vaccination Site in Waukegan Thursday
Lake County is set to open its new mass vaccination site Thursday in Waukegan, one of several new sites launching in Chicago suburbs this week. The site will be located at the community based testing center at 102 W. Water Street and all eligible Illinois residents can book appointments, regardless of where they live. Details here.
Aurora Launching Pop-Up Mass Vaccination Site at Fox Valley Mall Thursday
Aurora is set to begin the month of April by launching a new mass vaccination site at the Fox Valley Mall.
The first event at the new site, which will operate as a pop-up site, for now, will focus on equity and offer the first dose of the Moderna vaccine to 1,000 people registered through Black Vax Aurora, Latin Vax Aurora, and the new Indian Vax Aurora outreach efforts. Details here.
Kane and Will Counties to Open New Mass Vaccination Sites for All Illinois Residents Friday
New mass vaccination sites are expected to open this week to all eligible Illinois residents in Kane, Lake and Will counties.
The new sites will offer up doses to anyone who lives in Illinois, regardless of ZIP code. A Grundy County vaccination location at Shabbona Middle School will also expand its eligibility to include any eligible state resident. Full list here.
COVID Vaccine Side Effects: Why Do Some Get Them and What Does it Mean?
Side effects are possible after receiving either one or two doses of any of the three coronavirus vaccines currently being administered in the U.S., but not everyone experiences them. So what causes the side effects and what does it mean if you get them when others don't?
2 Mass Vaccination Sites to Open in Chicago Next Week, Including 1 Near Wrigley Field
Two new mass vaccination sites - one at Chicago State University and a second just outside Wrigley Field - are set to open in Chicago next week, officials announced Tuesday. Details here.
Getting Your Second Dose of the COVID Vaccine? Here's What You Should Know
If you're awaiting your second shot of the coronavirus vaccine, chances are you've got some questions. What are the side effects and when are you likely going to experience them? How long do you have to wait until you are fully vaccinated?
Here's a look at what you should know.
Vice President Kamala Harris Makes First Official Trip to Chicago Next Week
Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Chicago next week in her first official trip since she was sworn into office. Harris will arrive in the city on Tuesday, primarily focusing on COVID-19 vaccine equity, according to a statement from her office.
Danville, Quincy and More: These Illinois COVID Vaccine Sites Are Open to Anyone 16 or 18-Plus
Following an announcement from the state last week, a number of Illinois counties are now offering vaccinations to any state resident 16 and older.
Jackson County in southern Illinois, Adams County in western Illinois, and Vermilion County in eastern Illinois, among others, have expanded eligibility requirements as the state's health department allowed regions experiencing a decline in vaccine demand to open up further. Here's a full list.
Lake County Fairgrounds Expands COVID Vaccine Eligibility to Phase 1B Plus
The Lake County Fairgrounds vaccination site expanded COVID-19 vaccine availability this week to those eligible in Phase 1B Plus, which includes additional underlying health conditions, the health department announced. Anyone who lives or works in Lake County can register in the AllVax Portal located here. Appointments can also be made by calling (847) 377-8130.
Laminate It? Carry It? What You Should Do With Your Vaccination Record Card
Once you get your coronavirus vaccine, you’re often given a COVID-19 vaccination record card, with the CDC logo in the upper right corner. Both Staples and Office Depot are offering to laminate vaccination cards for free, but some are asking if sealing the card in plastic is too permanent. Read more here.
McHenry County Expands Mass Vaccination Site
A new mass vaccination site is scheduled to expand in McHenry County Tuesday.
McHenry County's site inside a former K-Mart, located at 1900 N. Richmond Ave. will open for six days a week with the help of the National Guard, state officials said Monday. The site will be open to eligible residents who live or work in the county. Details here.
Will County Expands COVID Vaccine Eligibility to Phase 1B-Plus
Will County has now entered Phase 1B-Plus of its COVID vaccine rollout, the county's health department announced Tuesday.
Health officials said that between Tuesday and April 12, when the state is expected to make all residents 16 and older eligible, vaccine appointments can by those who currently qualifies under state guidelines. Details here.
Chicago Unveils ‘First-of-its-Kind' Vaccination Program for Union Members
In what is being described as a “first-of-its-kind effort” to vaccinate union workers, the city of Chicago is teaming up with the Chicago Federation of Labor to launch a vaccination site for essential union employees.
According to the press release, the CFL will join Mayor Lori Lightfoot in opening up the vaccination site to members who were eligible for vaccinations in Phases 1A, 1B and 1C of the city’s program. Read more here.
Here's What You Can and Cannot Do Once You're Fully Vaccinated
You've received both shots of your COVID vaccine, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson single-shot vaccination, so now what? Can you see people? Should you still wear a mask? What about social distancing? Medical experts and health officials broke down some of the things you can and cannot do post-vaccination here.
Chicago Enters Phase 1C of COVID Vaccinations
Chicago entered Phase 1C of its vaccine rollout Monday, expanding coronavirus vaccine eligibility to include those with underlying health conditions and essential workers. Find out if you're eligible here.
More Essential Workers Eligible for COVID Vaccine in Illinois Beginning Monday
Some essential workers not already eligible under Illinois' Phase 1B Plus now qualify for the COVID vaccine under new eligibility guidelines that began Monday. According to the updated guidance, Illinois expanded eligibility last week to higher education staff, government workers, and media. But beginning March 29, food and beverage workers, construction trade workers, and religious leaders became eligible for the vaccine. For a full eligibility timeline click here.
Will County Opens New COVID Vaccination Site
A new coronavirus vaccination site opened in Will County this week, health officials announced. The site is set to open the week of March 29 in Monee at the former Second Place Church. For more information, click here.
Rapid Response Vaccination Teams Being Sent to 5 Illinois Counties
The state announced Friday that it is sending "Rapid Response Vaccination Teams" to five counties where epidemiologists "have determined there is a need to administer doses quickly to blunt increasing trends," IDPH said. Those teams will administer single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccinations to residents on top of what the counties are already allocated.
The counties are: Carroll, Ogle, Boone, Lee and Whiteside. Details on doses and how to make an appointment can be found here.
For a look at how to sign-up for vaccinations in Illinois click here.
