By: Ashmar Mandou
The Chicago Department of Public Health on Wednesday announced plans to decommission a number of City-run vaccination sites and stated their focus is now on hyperlocal distribution to reach Chicagoans who still need their COVID-19 vaccine. “As our COVID-19 vaccination strategy continues to evolve, we know that hyperlocal efforts and meeting people where they are offer us the best chance to vaccinate even more Chicagoans,” said CDPH Commissioner Allison Arwady, M.D. “I am very proud of our team and what we accomplished at these sites to move the city through this crisis.”
The Chicago State University drive-thru closed on Saturday, June 19, but there is still a walk-in vaccination site at CSU, open for appointments or walk-ups. Thursday, June 24, will be the final day of operations at the United Center vaccination site, run by the City of Chicago in partnership with County and State partners. As the United Center closes, a vaccination site at Malcom X College will reopen on June 28, administering the Pfizer vaccine, operating Monday through Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
As the City switches from fixed vaccination sites, it continues to offer vaccine at dozens of neighborhood-based pop-up and mobile vaccination events, including at churches, food pantries, farmers markets, parks and beaches, CTA “L” stops and more. Visit Chicago.gov/VaxCalendar to find a vaccination event in a community near you. In addition, COVID vaccines will be offered at CDPH immunization clinics throughout the city when they re-open in July, and CDPH just announced the expansion of its At Home program and now anyone 12 and older can make an appointment to get vaccinated in their home. People can make an appointment by calling 312-746-4835 or going to www.chicago.gov/athome. More than 450,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered at the City-operated vaccine clinics since January. All COVID-19 vaccines are offered at no cost to everyone, no insurance or ID required. For information about COVID-19 vaccines in Chicago, visit Chicago.gov/COVIDvax.
