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Illinois Vaccination Schedule
Illinois is currently in Phase 1B+ of the state’s COVID-19 vaccination plan. After initially vaccinating healthcare workers and frontline essential workers, Illinois has steadily expanded the eligibility lists to include residents with certain high-risk health conditions and in targeted employment sectors. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, the following state eligibility dates have been implemented to date:
- December 15, 2020: Healthcare workers and long-term care facility staff and residents
- January 25, 2021: Frontline essential workers (including first responders, K-12 teachers and other public-facing industries) and residents age 65 and up
- February 25, 2021: Residents with high-risk conditions or disabilities, age 16 and up
- March 22, 2021: Higher education staff, government workers, and media
- March 29, 2021: Restaurant staff, construction trade workers, and religious leaders
- April 12, 2021: Any resident age 16 and up
If you are currently eligible through the Phase 1B+ guidelines for a vaccine you must make an appointment. All vaccinations are by appointment only. Vaccination locations across the state and specific appointment information is available on the State of Illinois Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response page.
As the federal supply of vaccines increases and Illinois receives more vaccine, the state anticipates that it will launch more walk-in locations and expand sites to additional providers like doctor’s offices and urgent care clinics.
REALTORS® should also check local health departments because different locales have seen slightly different prioritization and distribution plans from that outlined by the state.
For example, on March 30, the Sangamon County Department of Public Health (SCDPH) expanded eligibility for the Moderna vaccines to those 18 and older and Pfizer vaccines to those 16 and older. SCDPH is administering Moderna vaccines at its headquarters on South Grand Avenue East in Springfield while the Pfizer vaccines are being offered at the Illinois State Fairgrounds clinic.
Also in Sangamon County, the Memorial Physicians Group expanded its vaccine program although age eligibility depends on the type of vaccine available when appointments are scheduled. HSHS Medical Group opened a new drive-up COVID vaccination site at Legacy Pointe in Springfield near Scheels to those 18 and older.
Anyone in Illinois can make an appointment at one of the two locations.
Eligibility expands to all Illinois residents 16 and older beginning April 12
On March 18, Governor Pritzker announced that all Illinois residents 16 years and older will be eligible to be vaccinated beginning on April 12. However, Pritzker warned that everyone eligible to receive their first dose should not expect to get it on April 12. It could take until late April or early May based on supply and how the dosages are distributed will vary according to local officials.
The governor also announced that the statewide mitigation strategy will shift from Phase 4 to a bridge phase once 70 percent of eligible seniors receive their first dose. Using current data, he predicted that would occur in about 14 days.
After 50 percent of all Illinois residents 16 and older have received at least one dose, the state will move into Phase 5 of its Restore Illinois Plan, which will ease restrictions on businesses and gatherings of large groups.
Once that happens, the state will begin a 28-day monitoring period.
Pritzker and Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike noted that even after being vaccinated, residents should continue social distancing, wearing face masks and following other mitigations. Phase 4 will continue to be in effect and mask wearing in public will still be recommended until the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say they are no longer necessary.
“The end seems to be in sight,” said Pritzker. “These vaccines are the fastest ticket . . . to all things we miss about normal life.”
Rapid Response teams to targeted areas
On March 26, the state of Illinois announced it is launching Mobile Rapid Response Vaccination Teams to five counties in Region 1 (Carroll, Ogle, Boone, Lee and Whiteside) and expanding vaccine eligibility where demand appears to have waned. The Illinois Department of Public Health also is authorizing communities where vaccine demand has slowed to begin vaccinating all residents 16 and older at their immediate discretion, in order to use the vaccine doses they currently have available.
