Published February 27, 2021 •
Updated on February 27, 2021 at 12:50 pm
Sergio Perez | Reuters
As much of Illinois moves into Phase 1B Plus of coronavirus vaccinations, residents continue to search for locations to receive the shot.
This week, the state expanded vaccine eligibility to those with high-risk medical conditions and comorbidities, including cancer, diabetes, heart conditions, pulmonary disease, among others. The list also includes those with obesity and women who are pregnant. Get the answer to your most-asked COVID vaccine questions on our mobile NBC 5 Chicago app. Download it here for iOS or Android.
Phase 1B initially opened up vaccinations to people age 65 years and older as well as frontline essential workers, which includes first responders, education workers like teachers and support staff, childcare workers, grocery store employees, postal service workers and more.
David Cihla frequently visits central Illinois for work and to visit his daughter, a University of Illinois student.
Next week, the Chicago resident will be making the three and half hour drive down Interstate 55 to get his first COVID-19 vaccine shot at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on Springfield’s northside.
“It seems to me Springfield is the place to go for anyone that’s really looking and has a way to get there,” said Cihla.
Officials have stressed patience as they slowly make vaccination appointments available. But as people place hope in the vaccine to return life to some semblance of normality, many have begun searching any place they can to find an open appointment. And many, like Cihla, are willing to make the hours-long trip to get that shot in the arm.
Mary Hansen / NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS
Illinois has given more than two million vaccinations. But Black residents are less likely to get the shots than their white peers, according to Illinois Department of Public Health data. As of Feb. 22, 4% of Sangamon County’s vaccine doses have gone to Black residents, who make up 13% of the county’s population, according to census numbers.
State and county health officials point to hesitancy – a distrust of the medical establishment about getting the vaccine – as a reason for the gap. Nationwide surveys show there is more hesitancy among Black and Latino communities. Still, advocates for equitable distribution say ensuring access is as urgent as education.
Not getting their shot illinoistimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from illinoistimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
A certain national pizza chain has cornered the 30 minutes or less slogan, but that s exactly how long Rhea Park said it took him to get the first round of the COVID-19 vaccine at the Orr Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds on Thursday.
Park and his friend Marilyn Danenberger both made the trip to Springfield from Loami.
Admittedly, Park said he had visions of having to wait, but he got a pleasant surprise. It went a lot better than expected, Park said. We walked in, and they started us right through the process. Painless was how Deb Selby of Athens explained the vaccine and the process itself.