Cook County released 15,000 first-dose appointments on Friday in preparation for the expected surge of vaccine-seekers when eligibility opens up on Monday, April 12.
Starting Monday, anyone 16 or older will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
To date, 73 percent of Illinois seniors and 42 percent of Illinoisans 16 and over have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. One quarter of the 16 and over population is fully vaccinated.
“Our fight to stay safe and protect ourselves isn’t over, but with each day and each dose, we move closer and closer to putting this pandemic to an end,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said on Thursday.
“COVID-19 vaccination is one of the most powerful and effective tools we can use to fight this pandemic together,” said Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health. “We now have more providers than ever before, and we are working diligently to make sure underserved communities and those disproportionately affected by COVID-19 have access to the vaccine.”
Illinois has established 20 state-supported mass vaccination locations where residents from anywhere in state can be vaccinated. All state-supported vaccination sites require appointments.
The two closest to Homewood and Flossmoor are at South Suburban College in South Holland and Tinley Park Convention Center.
There are also county-supported vaccination sites in Blue Island, Robbins and Ford Heights, plus dozens of pharmacies in the immediate area.
To get an appointment, visit Cook County’s vaccination website to register, or visit the state’s vaccine location site.
The state also is providing a call center for assistance in making vaccine appointments at l (833) 621-1284.