Illinois is expanding the eligibility of those who can receive the COVID-19 vaccine starting Feb. 25.
Those who are over 16 with comorbidities and underlying conditions that put them in more danger if they contract the coronavirus will join the eligibility list in about two weeks.
The list of conditions that qualify under this expansion is subject to change but initially will include; Cancer, Chronic Kidney Disease, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), Diabetes, Heart Condition, Immunocompromised State from a Solid Organ Transplant, Obesity, Pregnancy, Pulmonary Disease, and Sickle Cell Disease.
Previously this group with comorbidities was to get vaccinated in Phase 1c, which right now doesn’t have an official start date.
Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker gives plenty of credit to the Biden administration in the announcement, saying they have increased the vaccine supply by nearly 30 percent, including a 5 percent increase in the last week.
Health departments that have largely completed their existing Phase 1B population prior to Feb. 25 will be able to move forward earlier at the determination of local officials and IDPH.
Phase 1B to this point has included those 65 years and older, and workers who are more at risk of contracting COVID because of the nature of their job; jobs like first responders, K-12 education workers, manufacturing, and postal workers.
Knox County’s Health Department has been prioritizing getting vaccines to those 65 and older before frontline workers.
Pritzker’s administration says they will begin working with local health departments and other providers in the state to include these additional higher-risk individuals into community vaccination plans.
None of these conditions on the list rank any higher in priority than any other.
Illinois to date has used more than 78 percent of its vaccine on hand. Between the State of Illinois program, the federal government’s Long-Term Care Vaccination program and the separate supply for Chicago, all three efforts have provided about 1.5 million shots.
