Illinois expanded COVID-19 vaccination efforts specifically into rural areas. | Adobe Stock
Illinois expanded COVID-19 vaccination efforts specifically into rural areas. | Adobe Stock
Illinois has vaccinated more than 500,000 residents with help from National Guard, while the Tinley Park Convention Center is hitting its target to administer 30,000 vaccinations a week.
The center spans 120,000 square feet and opened on Jan. 26 as the first mass vaccination site for the state. Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently said the state would continue to open more locations to administer the vaccine, including nine more places to help rural communities.
"I'm proud that we're expanding this important program with a special focus on rural communities," Pritzker said, NBC Chicago 5 reported. "Adding nine critical access hospitals across Illinois, to begin receiving additional vaccine allocations is a continuation of our mission to meet communities where they already are. Rural communities deserve the same protections from this virus that suburban and urban communities get."
The launching of new sites will better prepare the state for when the vaccine becomes widely available to anyone older than 16 starting April 12.
Currently, Illinois residents in phase 1A, 1B and 1B+, government employees, staff in higher education, and media workers qualify for a free COVID-19 vaccine. It doesn't matter where they live, their immigration status, or what health insurance or lack thereof that they have at state sites.
"Now that I'm eligible as a government worker, I'm incredibly proud to get the lifesaving @JNJnews vaccine, joining millions of Illinoisans in getting protected," Pritzker said on Twitter. "All 3 vaccines are incredibly effective and offer us all the fastest way back to normal life."
There are more than 900 vaccination sites across the state that are open to the public. The Illinois National Guard continues to pair up with local health authorities to increase the vaccination rate.
"Expanding our state's vaccine eligibility is a monumental feat that would not be possible without the collaboration and dedication of our local health departments," Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, said, Kane County Connects reported. "In the coming days and weeks, our local partners will be ramping up efforts in order to vaccinate more and more Illinoisans. This teamwork has led our state to being a leader on the national stage as we look to end this pandemic."
Orland Township is offering bus rides to the convention center for $3 one way or $6 round trip. For more information, call 708-403-4222.
Bremen Township is also providing weekday rides. For more information, call 708-687-8220.
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