As of today, January 25, Chicago is in phase 1b of COVID-19 vaccinations. This means Chicagoans age 65+ and specific groups of highest-risk and front-line essential workers will be eligible for vaccination.
Please remember, even when you become eligible, it may take weeks to get an appointment. CDPH expects it to take at least through February and March for frontline essential workers and those who are 65+ to get their first dose of vaccine because of limited supply and the number of providers who are able to administer the vaccine. The vaccine will be offered at no cost to all Chicagoans who want it, but patience is needed while vaccine quantities increase.
There are three ways residents can receive the vaccine:
Your Health Care Provider
Your first contact should be your health care provider, including your primary care provider, health clinic, or hospital where you have gotten medical care in the past. Over 350 health care providers have signed up with CDPH to distribute vaccine. Providers are also reaching out directly to schedule appointments with their existing patients, prioritizing those who are older with more underlying conditions.
If you have insurance but do not have a primary care provider, please check with your insurance company for a list of providers accepting new patients. If you do not have insurance, one option is to enroll with one of Chicago’s many Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).
Your Pharmacy
The City of Chicago has provided vaccines to pharmacies across Chicago. These pharmacies each have their own registration link which can be found below.
Please note, the City of Chicago does not endorse any of the listed organizations. This list is provided only as a convenience (full disclaimer here).
Your Employer
Specific employers in prioritized essential worker groups will be able to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine to their employees in 1b. CDPH is working directly with employers as vaccine becomes available; for example, first responders are already being vaccinated and others will begin soon. If you will receive your vaccine through your employer, you do not need to take any other action.
The City of Chicago has six Point of Dispensing (POD) sites. As of the week of January 25, all POD appointments remain completely booked with health care workers who first became eligible under phase 1a. As more vaccine become available, a limited number of appointments will be available for those who are eligible under phase 1b. However, it is recommended that individuals use options 1-3 for the most appointment availability.
The City of Chicago has made significant progress in the fight against the COVID-19 virus in recent weeks and months. Based on our progress, the city has met the metrics set by the State of Illinois to move to Tier 1 Mitigations. Below is an overview of Tier 1 Mitigations now in place:
Restaurants and Bars
- Will be able to reopen indoors at lesser of 25% or 25 people per space.
- Food must be available at all times in order to offer indoor service. This means that bars, taverns or breweries without a food license can reopen indoors as long as they partner with a food establishment so that food is available to patrons at all times (e.g., making menus available and allowing delivery, allowing patrons to order from third-party delivery services).
- Table size will be limited to no more than four people per indoor table and six people per outdoor table.
- Outdoor service can continue under existing regulations, including tables that are within eight feet of walls that are at least 50% open.
- Face coverings must be worn at all times, except when patrons are seated and actively eating or drinking.
- Patrons must be seated whenever they are eating or drinking.
- Tables must be six feet apart.
- Indoor service limited to no more than two hours.
- All bars and restaurants must close at 11pm.
Event Venues
- Events will be limited to the lesser of 25 guests or 25% of overall room capacity both indoors and outdoors.
- Indoor events will be able to serve food or drinks, but indoor service guidelines must be followed:
- Face coverings must be worn at all times, except when patrons are seated and actively eating or drinking
- Four people per indoor table
- Patrons must be seated whenever they are eating or drinking
- Tables must be six feet apart
- Indoor events must end at 11pm
Health and Fitness Centers
- Indoor capacity will increase to 40%, with no more than 50 people within one area.
- Group classes of 15 or fewer can resume under the 40% capacity restriction.
- Face coverings must be worn at all times.
Indoor Recreation
- Indoor capacity will increase to the lesser of 40% or 50 people.
- Face coverings must be worn at all times.
Movie Theaters and Performance Venues
No capacity change from Tier 2 to Tier 1
- Can operate indoors at 40% capacity, with no more than 50 people in any one space.
- Face coverings must be worn at all times.
Retail Stores
No capacity change from Tier 2 to Tier 1
- Grocery stores and pharmacies can operate at 50% capacity, all other stores at 40% capacity.
- Face coverings must be worn at all time.
Museums
No capacity change from Tier 2 to Tier 1
- Can operate indoors at 25% capacity.
- Guided tours limited to 50 people.
- Groups limited to 10 people.
- Face coverings must be worn at all times.
Personal Services
No capacity change from Tier 2 to Tier 1
- 40% capacity, with no more than 50 people in any one space.
- Face coverings can be removed only for services that require their removal.
Places of Worship
No capacity change from Tier 2 to Tier 1
- 40% capacity, with no more than 50 people in any one space.
- Special events capped at no more than 10 people.
- Face coverings must be worn at all times.
