CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The latest mass vaccination site in Cook County is set to open Friday.
The site located in a former K-Mart store at 1155 E. Oakton St. in Des Plaines began taking appointments Thursday afternoon. Health officials said the demand for appointments is already high.
The Des Plaines mass vaccination site is the first site in Illinois to distribute the Johnson and Johnson single-shot vaccine.
Once the site is fully operational and vaccine is available, the state said it can provide up to 3,500 doses a day.
“The COVID-19 vaccine site in Des Plaines is our latest step forward in vaccinating Cook County and our most vulnerable communities,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “This new site, which is conveniently located for many residents of the northwest suburbs, will be utilized over the coming months as we progress in our program and vaccine supply increases.”
Anyone in groups 1A or 1B can make an appointment from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday online at vaccine.cookcountyil.gov or by calling (833) 308-1988.
Illinois announced the launch of the Des Plaines site Wednesday, along with another location set to open in Quincy.
“With our new operations in Des Plaines and Quincy, Illinois is now operating 18 state-supported mass vaccination sites in addition to the network of more than 800 vaccination locations around the state all trained on one goal: vaccinating as many people as possible, as quickly as possible,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement. “One in six Illinoisans have already received their first dose of vaccine, and as the federal government increases Illinois’ deliveries to over 100,000 a day later this month, IDPH and our 97 local health departments are prepared to meet the moment. In the meantime, I encourage all Illinoisans to wear their masks and stay vigilant as we power through to the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Related
