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Illinois is set to expand the list of people eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations in Phase 1B of its deployment, Governor JB Pritzker said on Wednesday.
The state expects to increase eligibility starting Feb. 25, allowing people with “a high-risk medical condition” or co-morbidity to be vaccinated. 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 expand eligibility for Phase 1B on February 25 to people with co-morbidities and underlying conditions as defined by the CDC, ”the governor’s office said in a statement. “In addition, 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.
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.”
Despite repeated claims that the state was struggling to vaccinate people in Phase 1B due to a limited supply, Pritzker touted a 5% increase in doses this week alone, saying that “as soon as we get enough vaccine, we must not waste time protecting a larger of our most vulnerable population. “
Yet even as Illinois announced more than 100 new vaccination locations last week, officials continued to urge patience on Wednesday, saying the vaccine supply was limited.
“We are limited by the amount of vaccine available and allocated by the federal government,” the governor’s office said in a statement just before Pritzker’s announcement on eligibility. “Vaccines are only available by appointment at this time and we encourage people to return frequently for open appointments. As long as the supply is not increased there will be a strong 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 hospitals, as well as two new mass vaccination sites and 110 retail pharmacies, including Walmart and Meijer stores.
To find out where and how to make an appointment in Illinois or where you can receive vaccine information for your area, click here.
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