COVID vaccine: Wrigley Field could host a mass vaccination site; Johnson & Johnson vaccine sent to US workers at United at O’Hare

CHICAGO (WLS) – More help has arrived as Chicago continues its battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The city of Chicago received more than 22,000 doses of the CDC’s Johnson & Johnson vaccine on Wednesday and is sending some of it to the two largest airlines at O’Hare International Airport. United and America Airlines will begin immunizing eligible employees at the airport on Thursday. None of the carriers indicated how many doses they received.

And while United said it will vaccinate Chicago-based employees who are at least 65 years old or are flight crew members, American has said all of its O’Hare employees will be eligible.

Illinois state officials said they expected a majority of the 83,000 doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. They were allowed to arrive by Wednesday and be distributed to mass vaccination sites.

Meanwhile, appointments at the United Center vaccination site will open on Thursday.

To register for an appointment at the United Center, visit www.zocdoc.com/vaccine or call the multilingual hotline (312) 746-4835 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday .

And Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, is being seen as a possible mass vaccination site, the Cubs and Advocate Aurora Health confirm.

A Cubs spokesperson said they are in discussions with the city about opening a site in Wrigley. Although the shots are not given on the field itself, some areas inside and outside could be used.

Advocate sees Wrigley Field as a practical option due to its proximity to CTA.

RELATED: United Center COVID Vaccination Site Appointments Open Thursday, With Over 100K Spaces Available

The Cubs say if they are called, it would be their honor to play a role in ending the pandemic.

If Wrigley becomes a vaccination site, injections could be given in the interior halls, the exterior plaza and possibly the player’s parking lot.

AURORA HEALTH STATEMENT:
As a leader in community health care, we are resolutely committed to doing all we can to complete the immunization process as quickly, fairly and safely as possible.
We are proud to partner with a possible Wrigley Field mass vaccination site, which would potentially be licensed by the City of Chicago. If the site is designated and the city’s vaccine stocks become available, Advocate Aurora Health will provide clinical staff and technical infrastructure.
This location is being considered as it is a convenient option for people who do not own a car, as it is easily accessible via the CTA. This is part of our ongoing goal of partnering to ensure residents of disproportionately affected communities have access to the vaccine as supplies become available.
We continue to believe that the vaccine is our best way to end this pandemic and we continue to use our current very limited supplies for our most vulnerable patients over 65.