CHICAGO — The United Center’s mass vaccination site will be able to give shots to 6,000 people per day.
The site is expected to open March 10, though it could open sooner, and be around for at least eight weeks. It will start taking appointments for older Illinoisans on Thursday, with other eligible Illinoisans able to sign up starting Sunday.
The mass vaccination site’s opening will significantly boost Chicago’s and Illinois’ efforts.
Here’s what you need to know:
How To Get An Appointment At The United Center
Starting 8:30 a.m. Thursday, people 65 and older can go online to Zocdoc or 312-746-4835 or schedule an appointment.
Appointments will open to other eligible people 4 p.m. Sunday. Those people can also use Zocdoc or call 312-746-4835 to make appointments.
When Do Appointments Open?
Appointments open 8:30 a.m. Thursday for people 65 and older.
If any appointment slots are left over, appointments will open 4 p.m. Sunday for other eligible people.
There will be 110,000 appointment openings to start with. Future appointments will be available in several weeks.
Who Is Eligible To Be Vaccinated?
Any Illinoisan who is eligible for vaccinations can get a shot at the United Center, though priority for appointments will be given to people 65 and older.
Here is who is eligible:
- People 65 and older.
- People with underlying health conditions:
- Cancer.
- Chronic kidney disease.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, known as COPD.
- Diabetes.
- Heart conditions.
- Immunocompromised state from a solid organ transplant.
- Smoking.
- Obesity.
- Pregnancy.
- Pulmonary diseases.
- Sickle cell disease.
- Frontline essential workers:
- Correctional workers.
- First responders.
- Grocery store workers.
- People working in manufacturing/factory settings with outbreaks.
- Day care, K-12 and early education workers.
- Public transit workers.
- Other manufacturing workers.
- Agriculture workers.
- Continuity of government and postal workers.
- People from Phase 1A, including health care workers.
How To Get To The United Center
Uber will offer 20,000 free rides to older people who need help getting to the United Center. The Uber offer will be made available to people who sign up for an appointment.
Blue Line: The Illinois Medical District stop is several blocks south of the stadium.
Green and Pink Line: The Ashland/Lake station is several blocks to the northeast of the stadium.
Buses: The No. 9 Ashland, No. 19 United Center Express, No. 20 Madison, No. 50 Damen and No. 126 Jackson buses have stops within several blocks of the stadium.
People using the CTA can check out the agency’s website for bus and train tracking and to plan their trip.
What Vaccine Will Be Used?
The Pfizer vaccine will be used at the United Center site. People will be scheduled for their second shot of the vaccine after getting their first shot.
Where Do The Vaccines Come From?
The doses used at the United Center will come directly from the federal government rather than being taken from Illinois’ or Chicago’s limited supply of doses. That will provide a significant bump to vaccinations in and around the city.
Where Will People Get Their Shot?
The United Center itself will not be used. The Blackhawks and Bulls are currently using the facility for games — which fans have not been able to attend due to the pandemic.
Vaccines will be given in the United Center parking lot.
People will park in lots around the United Center and go to Parking Lot E, where they will do walk-through vaccinations, said FEMA official Brian Schiller. Tents will be set up to shield people from the elements as they go through the vaccination process.
Accessibility Help
A portion of the site will be dedicated to people with mobility issues, and older people can bring one person to accompany them to the site.
Who Runs The Site?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will provide the personnel for the site, financial assistance, equipment and supplies.
The federal government is partnering with the state of Illinois, Cook County and city of Chicago on the site.
Block Club Chicago’s coronavirus coverage is free for all readers. Block Club is an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom.
Subscribe to Block Club Chicago. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods.
Already subscribe? Click here to support Block Club with a tax-deductible donation.
"here" - Google News
March 03, 2021 at 11:45PM
https://ift.tt/3qfQ7ya
Here's How To Get Vaccinated At The United Center - Block Club Chicago
"here" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2z7PfXP
https://ift.tt/2Yv8ZPx
No comments:
Post a Comment