Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Wednesday that Illinois will expand the list of people eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations in Phase 1B of its rollout.
The state believes that this increased eligibility beginning Feb. 25, will allow people with “a high-risk medical condition” or comorbidity to be vaccinated. The list includes those with cancer, diabetes, obesity, women who are pregnant, and those with several other conditions.
“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,” the governor’s office said in a release. “In addition, Illinois will also prioritize individuals with disabilities.”
The list of qualifying high-risk medical conditions (which is subject to change) includes:
“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,” Pritzker said in a statement. “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 expanded eligibility applies to persons age 16 and older who were not covered in previous eligibility categories, the state said, adding that it plans to work with local health departments and other providers as eligibility increases.
According to Illinois and U.S. medical experts, pregnant women were excluded from trials for the vaccine, because of minimal information on the vaccines’ safety for that group.
However, earlier this month, White House health advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci said there have been “no red flags” seen in the more than 10,000 pregnant women who have received vaccine shots so far.
Guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that if a woman is part of a group recommended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and is pregnant, she may choose to be vaccinated. A discussion with her healthcare provider can help her make an informed decision, the agency stated.
Currently, more than 3.2 million Illinois residents are eligible for vaccinations under Phase 1B, which does include people age 65 years and older as well as “frontline essential workers.”
Despite repeated claims the state was struggling to vaccinate those in Phase 1B due to limited supply, Pritzker was happy to share a 5% increase in doses this week alone, saying “as quickly as we receive enough vaccine supply, we need to waste no time in protecting a broader section of our most vulnerable population.”
Still, officials continued to urge patience Wednesday, saying vaccine supply was limited, even with Illinois announcing more than 100 new vaccination locations in the last week.
“We are limited by the amount of vaccine available and allocated by the federal government,” the governor’s office said in a release just before Pritzker’s announcement on eligibility. “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.”
As of Feb. 4, the state said it has added 22 local health departments, medical centers, and hospital locations, along with two new mass vaccination sites and 110 retail pharmacy stores, including Walmart and Meijer locations.
For a complete look at where and how you can make an appointment in Illinois or where you can receive vaccine information for your area, click here.
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