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Illinois plans to expand the list of people eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations in Phase 1B of its deployment starting next Thursday.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced the state plans to add people with “high-risk disease” or comorbid conditions. The list includes people with cancer, diabetes, obesity, pregnant women, and those with several other conditions.
“In light of a steadily increasing supply of federal vaccines, Illinois plans to extend Phase 1B eligibility on February 25 to people with co-morbidities and underlying conditions as defined by the CDC, ”the governor’s office said in a statement. “Additionally, Illinois will also prioritize people with disabilities.”
The list of eligible high-risk medical conditions (which is subject to change) includes:
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Diabetes
- Cardiac problem
- Immunocompromised condition following a solid organ transplant
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Pulmonary Disease
- Sickle cell anemia
“Those who are under 65 and live with co-morbidities, such as cancer survivors or those living with heart disease, have a high risk of serious complications or death if they contract COVID-19,” said Pritzker in a press release. “Illinois is moving forward under CDC guidelines to expand our eligible population when supply permits, bringing us closer to when the vaccine is widely available to all who want it. In the meantime, I encourage all Illinois to wear our masks and follow the mitigation measures so that more of our neighbors are healthy and alive when it is their turn in the immunization line.
The expansion applies to people 16 and older who were not covered by previous eligibility categories, the state said, adding that it plans to work with local health departments and others. providers as eligibility increased.
To find out where and how to make an appointment in Illinois or where you can receive vaccine information for your area, click here.
According to medical experts in Illinois and the United States, pregnant women have been excluded from trials for the vaccine, so there was little information on vaccine safety for this group.
Earlier this month, White House health adviser Dr Anthony Fauci said there had been “no red flags” seen in more than 10,000 pregnant women who had received drugs. vaccines so far.
Guidelines released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that if a woman is in a group recommended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and is pregnant, she may choose to be vaccinated. A discussion with her health care provider can help her make an informed decision, the agency said.
Already, more than 3.2 million Illinois residents are eligible for vaccinations under Phase 1B, which includes people aged 65 and older as well as “essential frontline workers.”
Here’s a look at those already included, in addition to healthcare workers and those in long-term care facilities who were eligible for Phase 1A:
- Residents aged 65 and over
- Essential frontline workers, meaning “residents who are at a higher risk of exposure to COVID-19 due to their work duties, often because they are unable to work from home, and / or they have to work in close collaboration with others without being able to distance themselves socially. This includes:
- First responders: Fire, law enforcement, 911 workers, security personnel, school officers
- Education: Teachers, principals, student support, student aid, day educator
- Food and agriculture: Processing, plants, veterinary health, animal husbandry services, animal care
- Manufacturing: Industrial production of goods intended for retail, wholesale or other manufacturers
- Correctional officers and inmates: Prison officers, staff in juvenile facilities, workers providing in-person support, inmates
- USPS workers
- Public transport workers: Flight crew, bus drivers, conductors, taxi drivers, para-transit drivers, in-person support, ridesharing services
- Grocery store employees: Baggers, cashiers, storers, pickup, customer service
- Shelters and guard staff: Homeless shelter, women’s shelter, day / day program for adults, sheltered workshop, psychosocial rehabilitation
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