Starting Thursday, February 25th people under 65 living with comorbidities, such as cancer survivors or those living with heart disease, have an elevated risk of serious complications or death if they contract COVID-19 will be eligible to receive the vaccine.  

Updated STATE of Illinois Covid-19 vaccine Eligibility starting Thursday, Feb. 25

In light of a steadily increasing federal vaccine supply, Illinois is making plans to expand Phase 1B eligibility on February 25 to people who have comorbidities and underlying conditions as defined by the CDC. In addition, Illinois will also prioritize individuals with disabilities.

"As quickly as we receive enough vaccine supply, we need to waste no time in protecting a broader section of our most vulnerable population," said Governor JB Pritzker. "Those who are under 65 and live with comorbidities, such as cancer survivors or those living with heart disease, have an elevated risk of serious complications or death if they contract COVID-19. Illinois is moving forward in accordance with guidance from the CDC to expand our eligible population as supply allows, getting us closer to the point when the vaccine is widely available to all who want it. In the meantime, I encourage all Illinoisans to wear our masks and follow the mitigations so that more of our neighbors are healthy and alive when it's their turn in the vaccination line."

The Pritzker administration will begin working with local health departments and other providers across the state to include these additional higher-risk individuals into their community vaccination plans in the weeks ahead. Those health departments that have substantially completed their existing Phase 1B population prior to the February 25 statewide expansion date will be able to move forward earlier at the determination of local public health officials and IDPH.

This expansion applies to individuals 16 and older who aren't otherwise covered in previous eligibility categories.

In accordance with the CDC guidelines, Illinois is using the below guiding framework for what qualifies as a high-risk medical condition once Phase 1B expands on February 25. 

This list is subject to change as guidance evolves and does not reflect an order of priority:

• Cancer
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
• Diabetes
• Heart Condition
• Immunocompromised State from a Solid Organ Transplant
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Pulmonary Disease
• Sickle Cell Disease

Additional locations added

The number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination locations across Illinois continues to increase.  More new retail pharmacy locations have been added to the list of COVID-19 vaccination sites open to the public.  There are now more than 850 vaccination locations in Illinois open to the public.  The new sites include 339 Walgreens stores throughout Illinois, which will be receiving vaccine out of a federal allocation and not from the state's allotment.  Additionally, four CVS locations are being added.
 
Retail Pharmacies
The State of Illinois is partnering with CVS, Hy-Vee, Jewel-Osco, Kroger, Mariano's, Meijer, Walgreens, and Walmart pharmacies to provide COVID-19 vaccinations.

• CVS - 4 locations
• Hy-Vee - 16 locations
• Jewel-Osco - 143 locations
• Kroger - 24 locations
• Mariano's - 31 locations
• Meijer - 8 locations
• Walgreens - 520 locations
• Walmart - 8 locations

While the state is working to increase the number of vaccines administered daily, they are limited by the amount of vaccine available and allocated by the federal government.  Vaccinations are available only by appointment at this time and we encourage people to check back frequently for open appointments.  Until the supply is increased, there will be a great demand and we ask people to be patient.  Individuals should be signing up for an appointment to receive their second dose while they are getting their first vaccination.

State Supported Mass Vaccination Sites

These mass and mobile vaccinations sites are managed through an interagency effort led by Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health, coordinated by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and supported by the Illinois National Guard.State Supported Mass Vaccination Sites listed below are open to all Illinois residents, who meet the current eligibility requirements and have an appointment through the local health department.

For information on how to make an appointment to receive the vaccine, updates on the state's plan and eligibility, and answers to frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, go to coronavirus.illinois.gov